The concept of premature death, or avoidable mortality, is defined as "death that should not occur in the presence of effective and timely health care."
WHO defines death as premature if it occurs before age 70 years.

Avoidable deaths from the 20 health conditions
- Low-income countries (80% of total deaths)
- Lower-middle-income countries (70% of total deaths)
- Upper-middle-income countries. (48% of total deaths)

Avoidable deaths associated with SHS (serious health-related suffering)
- Low-income countries (81% of total deaths)
- Lower-middle-income countries (63% of total deaths)
- Upper-middle-income countries (46% of total deaths)

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Knaul FM et al. Alleviating the access abyss in palliative care and pain relief—an imperative of universal health coverage: the Lancet Commission report. Internet. Accessed on January 27, 2017.