The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gather mortality data for our nation. The information is arranged according to ages of the deceased.
For 2013, the most recent year for which complete data are available, the 10 leading causes of death for all ages in order of prevalence, with numbers in parentheses, are:
Clif Cleaveland1. Heart disease (611,105)
2. Malignant diseases (584,881)
3. Chronic respiratory disease (149,205)
4. Accidental injuries (130,557)
5. Strokes (128,978)
6. Alzheimer’s disease (84,767)
7. Diabetes mellitus (75,578)
8. Influenza and pneumonia (56,979)
9. Kidney failure (47,112)
10. Suicide (41,149)
Accidents are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 years. Malignancies rank first for ages 45 to 64 years. Homicide ranks in the top five causes of death for ages 1 to 44 years. Suicide ranks in the top five for ages 10 to 44.
The data invite consideration of how deaths in each category can be reduced. Screening for and treating high blood pressure and blood-fat abnormalities will reduce mortality rates for both heart disease and stroke, as well as improving fatalities from kidney failure.
Smoking cessation will reduce mortality rates for heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory disease and malignant diseases.
Deaths due to diabetes will decrease with screening, dietary management and close monitoring of insulin and other medications available to manage the condition. Improved control of diabetes will reduce related kidney damage.
Because obesity is a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and malignancies, screening, intensive nutritional counseling and exercise programs form a vital triad for curbing this increasingly prevalent condition in our society. A worsening epidemic of obesity could undermine gains in life expectancy during recent decades.
Protective vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia will decrease mortality from these infectious diseases. In 2013, only 45 percent of Americans ages six months and older obtained flu vaccinations.
Accidents pose complex challenges. Reduction of motor vehicular fatalities (35,000 in 2013) can be achieved by simply wearing seat belts and reducing the incidence of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Stiffer penalties for DUI would be effective in reducing related fatalities (10,000 in 2013), especially if penalties were also imposed upon the businesses or persons who served alcohol to the impaired driver.
For older Americans, falls are a significant source of serious injury and death. Surveys of dwellings to identify and eliminate risks for falling can lead to reductions.
Suicides and homicides also have varied and complex causes. Reduction of suicides would likely result from wider availability of clinical psychological services and from securing firearms within homes. Restricting gun purchases by felons and mentally unstable persons would have an uncertain impact upon homicide rates.
Of the leading causes of death, only Alzheimer’s disease has no ready preventive or therapeutic solution. Our hope must rest in medical research which is robustly pursued in many centers.
The CDC data presents a challenge to individuals, health care providers, and policy makers. Both quality and duration of life for many thousands of Americans can be enhanced.
Contact Clif Cleaveland at ccleaveland@timesfreepress.com.