This post is also available in: English Slovenščina (Slovenian)
The health of the population of Slovenia, which was estimated using the untimely death rate, specific mortality rate and longevity, is lagging behind the EU countries. In the eastern part of Slovenia, which has a predominantly rural population, outdated industry, high unemployment and a lower educational level, women live an average of two years and men three years less than their counterparts in the western part of Slovenia, where the standard of living is higher. The objective of our research was to assess the level of health in connection with nutrition on the basis of the existing statistical data and studies on the health and nutritional habits of the Slovene population, in hopes of confirming the hypothesis about the significant influence of nutrition on the health of the Slovene population. The correlation between the specific mortality rate (ischemic heart disease and cancer of the digestive system) and nutritional habits within separate regions of Slovenia indicates a higher death rate where there are greater quantities of total and saturated fats, and a lower one where there are increased quantities of fruits and vegetables in the diet. A highly significant correlation was found only for cancer of the digestive system in the population of women aged over 60 (p < 0.05). This significant correlation is even more marked (p = 0.02) if the proportion between fruits and vegetables vs. total fats in the diet is taken into account. The correlation between the specific mortality rate caused by cardiovascular disease among the inhabitants of Slovenia shows an inverse connection to income and education and a straight proportional connection to income, but not to education, with the death rate from cancer.
Conclusion: Greater importance should be given to the promotion of health and healthy nutrition among people with lower educational and income levels.