Abstract
We analysed data on mortality using the French cause of deaths statistics system for June–July 1997 and 1998. The data comprised sex specific numbers of deaths from all causes (International classification of diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9): codes 001.0–999.9) and myocardial infarction (ICD-9: code 410). Additional data were available for six other causes of death: asthma (ICD-9 codes 493.0, 493.1, 493.9), cardiac dysrhythmias (ICD-9 codes from 427.0 to 427.9), heart failure (ICD-9 codes 428.0, 428.1, 428.9), malignant neoplasm of female breast (ICD-9 codes from 174.0 to 174.9), malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus, and lung (ICD-9 codes from 162.0 to 162.9), and sudden death of unknown cause (ICD-9 codes 798.0, 798.1, 798.2, 798.9).