Socio-economic development and mortality patterns and trends in Malaysia

Mortality in Peninsular Malaysia has reached a level which is quite similar to that prevailing in the low mortality countries (World Health Organization, 1982: 17). As in countries such as China, Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka, neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases, which previously had been minor causes of death in Malaysia, have become important in recent years (World Health Organization, 1982: 20).