[Health system interventions assessment in Spain: an approach through the analysis of the time trends and the geographical variability of avoidable mortality between 1986 -2001].

Background: Many studies have proposed Avoidable Mortality (ME) to monitor the performance of health services although its usefulness is limited by the multiplicity of the avoidable mortality lists being used. Time trends from 1986-2001 and the geographical distribution of avoidable mortality by provinces, are presented for Spain.

Methods: An Avoidable Mortality consensus list is being used.