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Causes Of Death In The
US
What are the leading causes of death in the US?
Many of the top 10 causes of death are
preventable through lifestyle changes and regular checkups
Vincent J. Tavella
Around
74% of all deaths in the United States occur as a result of 10 causes. Over the
past 5 years, the main causes of death in the U.S. have remained fairly
consistent.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 2,813,503
registered deaths in the United States in 2017.
The
age-adjusted death rate, which accounts for the aging population, is 731.9
deaths per 100,000 people in the U.S. This is an increase of 0.4% over 2016’s
death rate.
However,
the CDC advise that using age-adjusted rates is inaccurate for ranking causes
of death.
All
figures and percentages provided here come from the most recent data from the
CDC, collected in 2017.
In
this article, we expand on each of the leading causes of death and provide
links to more detailed information on each condition.
We
also rank the causes according to the number of deaths per condition and their
percentage share of the overall registered death count in the U.S.
1. Heart
disease
· Deaths in 2017:
647,457
· Percentage of
total deaths: 23.5%
Heart
disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. This is the case
in the U.S. and worldwide.
More
than half of all people who die due to heart disease are men.
Medical
professionals use the term heart disease to describe several conditions. Many
of these conditions relate to the buildup of plaque in the walls of the
arteries.
As
the plaque develops, the arteries narrow. This makes it difficult for blood to
flow around the body and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. It can
also give rise to angina, arrythmias, and heart failure.
To
reduce the risk of dying from heart disease, a person can protect their heart
health by adopting a healthful diet and getting regular exercise.
Being
able to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack can also help people get
prompt medical treatment and potentially save their lives.
2. Cancer
· Deaths in 2017: 599,108
· Percentage of total deaths: 21.3%
Cancer
occurs when cells do not die at the normal point in their life cycle.
If
a person’s body cannot control the spread of these cells, they can interfere
with essential, life-sustaining systems and possibly lead to death.
Everyone
has some degree of risk, but for most cancers, the risk will increase with age.
Some
people have a higher or lower risk due to differences in exposure to
carcinogens, such as from smoking or exposure to chemical pollutants.
Genetic
factors also play a strong role in cancer’s development.
Race
and sex also play a role in a person’s risk of developing cancer, depending on
the type. That said, lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in
both men and women.
However,
researchers are always taking steps to advance cancer treatment. In fact, the
death rate from all cancers in the U.S. has dropped by 26% since 1991.
Estimated
cancer-related deaths for 2019
The
American Cancer Society estimate how many people will die from certain types of
cancer in 2019.
According
to them, the leading causes of death from cancer for males will be:
· Lung and bronchus cancer: 76,650 deaths
· Prostate cancer: 31,620 deaths
· Colorectal cancer: 27,640 deaths
The
leading causes of death from cancer for females will be:
· Lung and bronchus cancer: 66,020 deaths
· Breast cancer: 41,760 deaths
· Colorectal cancer: 23,380 deaths
3. Unintentional
injuries
· Deaths in 2017: 169,936
· Percentage of total deaths: 6%
Accidents,
or unintentional injuries, are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.
overall, and the leading cause of death for those aged 1–44.
Possible
prevention measures
Accidents
are unintentional and usually unavoidable. However, there are many ways to
reduce the risk of accidental injury and death.
Some
key components of accident prevention include focusing on road and workplace
safety, such as using a seatbelt and never driving or operating heavy machinery
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4. Chronic
lower respiratory disease
· Deaths in 2017: 160,201
· Percentage of total deaths: 5.7%
Chronic
lower respiratory disease refers to a group of lung conditions that block the
airflow and cause breathing-related issues. These diseases include:
· chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
· bronchitis
· emphysema
· asthma
Smoking
drastically increases a person’s risk of developing these conditions.
5. Stroke
and cerebrovascular diseases
Stroke
is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
· Deaths in 2017: 146,383
· Percentage of total deaths: 5.2%
Cerebrovascular
diseases develop due to problems with the blood vessels that supply the brain.
Four
of the most common cerebrovascular diseases are:
· stroke
· transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke
· subarachnoid hemorrhage
· vascular dementia
Every
year, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke. The risk of stroke
varies with race, ethnicity, and age.
The
highest death rates from stroke in the U.S. occur in the Southeast.
6. Alzheimer’s
disease
· Deaths in 2017: 121,404
· Percentage of total deaths: 4.3%
Dementia
refers to a group of conditions that cause a decline in cognitive function.
This affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
Damage
to the nerve cells in the brain causes dementia. As a result of the damage,
neurons can no longer function normally and may die. This, in turn, can lead to
changes in memory, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.
Alzheimer’s
disease is just one type of dementia. Another type, called vascular dementia,
can cause similar symptoms but instead results from changes to blood flow to
the brain.
For
people with Alzheimer’s disease, neuron damage and death eventually impair
their ability to perform essential actions, such as walking and swallowing.
People
in the final stages of this condition may not be able to leave their bed and
may require around the clock care. Alzheimer’s is ultimately fatal.
In
the U.S., an estimated 5.8 million people currently have Alzheimer’s disease,
according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This figure may rise to 14 million
people by 2050 as life expectancy continues to increase.
Alzheimer’s
is also the only cause of death in the top 10 that medical experts cannot cure,
prevent, or slow down.
7. Diabetes
· Deaths in 2017: 83,564
· Percentage of total deaths: 3%
Diabetes
is a condition wherein the body can no longer control blood glucose, which
leads to dangerously high levels of blood glucose. This is called
hyperglycemia.
Persistent
hyperglycemia can damage the body’s tissues, including those in the nerves,
blood vessels, and eyes.
The
body converts most of the food people eat into glucose, a simple sugar, which
it can then use for energy.
The
pancreas, an organ near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to move
glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.
There
are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The
bodies of people with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin at all, so these
people need to supplement their supply.
The
bodies of people with type 2 diabetes cannot use insulin effectively.
However,
it is possible to control the risk of type 2 diabetes with careful dietary
management and regular exercise.
Diabetes
can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness,
kidney failure, and the need for amputation of the lower extremities.
8. Influenza
and pneumonia
· Deaths in 2017: 55,672
· Percentage of total deaths: 2%
Influenza,
or flu, is a highly contagious viral infection. It is one of the most severe
illnesses of the winter season.
Flu
spreads easily from person to person, usually when someone who carries the
virus coughs or sneezes.
A person
can have the flu more than once, as many different strains of the virus can
cause infection. They may belong to one of three different influenza families:
A, B or C.
Type
A viruses tend to affect adults more severely, while type B viruses most often
cause health problems in children. Type C viruses are fairly uncommon.
Pneumonia,
a serious condition that causes inflammation of the lungs, can cause
complications in people who have the flu.
Pneumonia
causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with pus and other fluids, preventing
oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.
If
there is too little oxygen in the blood, the body’s cells cannot function. This
can be fatal.
9. Kidney
disease
· Deaths in 2017: 50,633
· Percentage of total deaths: 1.8%
People
over 60 years of age have a high risk of kidney disease.
Nephritis,
nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis are all conditions that affect the kidneys.
Chronic
kidney disease (CKD) causes kidney damage. Damaged kidneys cannot filter blood
as well as healthy kidneys.
As
a result of this, waste from the blood remains in the body and may lead to
other health problems.
.
Around 30 million people in the U.S. may have CKD to some degree. Being over 60 years old increases the risk of CKD, as does having a family history of it.
.
Around 30 million people in the U.S. may have CKD to some degree. Being over 60 years old increases the risk of CKD, as does having a family history of it.
High
blood pressure and diabetes are most likely to cause the CKD.
CKD
develops in stages, and it does not usually cause symptoms until its most
advanced stage. So, undergoing regular screenings can help reduce a person’s
risk of dying from kidney disease.
10.
Suicide
·
Deaths in 2017:
47,173
When
a person dies by suicide, they may have lived with a mental health condition —
such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder — for a long time.
However,
not all people who attempt suicide or die by it have these conditions.
Suicide
is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 years.
Establishing
a strong support network, taking appropriate medications, and seeking therapy
may help reduce the risk of suicide.
In this article, learn more about dealing with suicidal ideation, including how to get help.
In this article, learn more about dealing with suicidal ideation, including how to get help.
Suicide
Prevention
If
you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another
person:
Ask
the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
Listen
to the person without judgment.
Call
911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a
trained crisis counselor.
Stay
with the person until professional help arrives.
Try
to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If
you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can
help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at
1-800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing should call
1-800-799-4889.
Q: How do I bring down my overall risk of death?
.
A: Lifestyle habits will most likely have the greatest impact on a person’s risk of developing some of these conditions.
.
A: Lifestyle habits will most likely have the greatest impact on a person’s risk of developing some of these conditions.
Eating
healthful foods in optimal proportions, sleeping and exercising regularly,
drinking in moderation, avoiding tobacco products and other drugs, and building
healthy and positive relationships will all work to improve a person’s quality
of life and reduce their risk of premature death.
Also,
establishing an ongoing relationship with a doctor and undergoing regular
screenings for conditions that run in the family can aid prompt treatment if
these conditions do develop.
Vincent J. Tavella, MPH
Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly
informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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