The National Center for
Health Statistics released its annual report on final mortality statistics
for 1993.
Data highlights
In
1993 the overall age-adjusted death rate in the U.S. increased for the
first time since 1988, interrupting a general decline that has been
occurring since 1930. The overall increase was primarily due to increases
in deaths from heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
HIV, accidents, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes, and stroke.
Life expectancy in the
U.S. declined from 75.8 years in 1992 to 75.5 years in 1993, the first
decline since 1980. The decline was primarily attributed to the two
influenza epidemics of 1993, which resulted in large increases in
mortality -- particularly for older Americans -- from pneumonia and
several chronic conditions, including heart disease, COPD, and diabetes.
Despite
the decline in life expectancy in 1993, provisional data for 1994 show
life expectancy increasing almost back to the 1992 level (75.7 years).
The
overall infant mortality rate in the U.S. in 1993 was 8.4 deaths per 1,
000 live births, a new low. Provisional data for 1994 show the infant
mortality rate dropping to 7.9. In 1993 for white infants the rate was
6.8, while for black infants the rate was 16.5. Although significant gaps
in infant mortality remain between the black and white population, there
was a larger decline in mortality for black infants from 1992 to 1993 than
for white infants.
Increases
were documented for causes of death that disproportionately affect younger
people. HIV ranked among the 10 leading causes of death for white and
black males and females in age groups 1-4 years, 5-14 years, 15-24 years,
and 25-44 years respectively. Also, nearly 1,000 children under the age of
15 years died as a result of firearm injuries, including 116 children
under age 5 years and 841 children between the ages of 5 and 14 years.
Reports are based on
information from death certificates completed by funeral directors,
attending physicians, coroners, and medical examiners. Source:
"Advance Report of Final Mortality Statistics, 1993," Monthly
Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 44, No. 7, Supplement (in production).
For further
information contact the NCHS Office of Public Affairs at 301-458-4800 or
via e-mail at paoquery@cdc.gov).