Epidemiological Analysis of Alimentary-Dependent Diseases Among Persons of Fertile Age in Environmentally Hazardous Regions of Ukraine

The health status of the Ukrainian population affected by the Chornobyl NPP (ChNPP) accident demonstrates a steady downward trend, manifested by higher growth rates of morbidity compared to national averages. The cohort of individuals of fertile age residing in radiation-contaminated territories (RCTs) requires special attention. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of morbidity and mortality from alimentary and alimentary-dependent diseases (ADDs) was conducted among individuals aged 18–49 cohort living in a region with increased environmental hazard (Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions). Official data from medical registers (SRU) for ICD-10 nosological forms for 2019–2021 were used, with calculations of absolute indicators and case fatality rates (%) for age cohorts (18–29, 30–39, and 40–49 years) and gender. It was established that the primary pathological burden is diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) (Class IX), which dominate the structure of morbidity and mortality across all groups. The highest morbidity and critically high case fatality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) were recorded in the 40–49 age group (IHD fatality reached 69.0% in 2020). Among young persons (18–29 years), hypertensive conditions and diseases of the digestive system (Class XI) dominate. Of particular concern is the critically high case fatality from malignant neoplasms (MN) of the digestive organs among young men aged 30–39, which reached 66.7%, indicating aggressive oncopathology and challenges in early diagnosis. Significant gender differences were identified: women more frequently suffer from alimentary anemias and endocrine pathologies related to iodine deficiency. The epidemiological situation indicates a synergistic effect of unbalanced nutrition and environmental stress, necessitating the development of targeted preventive programs considering age and gender specifics.