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Actual Causes of Death in the United States



The largest contributions to death are a consequence of human behavior. Thus, there is substantial opportunity for cancer control interventions.

Comparative Causes of Annual Deaths in the United States
Comparative Causes of Annual Deaths in the United States
Sources: (AIDS) HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004; (Alcohol) CDC. (2004). MMWR, 53(37), 866-870; (Motor vehicle) National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. (2005); (Homicide) NCHS. Vital statistics, 2002; (Drug-related) Mokdad, A.H., Marks, J. et al. (2004). Actual causes of death in the U.S., 2000. JAMA, 29(10),1242; (Suicide) NIMH. (2003 [updated 2006]). In harm's way-Suicide in America;

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Smoking Status and Risk of Death

Woloshin S, Schwartz LM, Welch HG. The Risk of Death by Age, Sex, and Smoking Status in the United States: Putting Health Risks in Context. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Jun 18;100(12):845-53.
This article provides one-page charts that present the 10-year chance of dying from various causes according to age, sex, and smoking status.

Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses (United States, 1997—2001).
This page provides CDC calculated national estimates of annual smoking-attributable mortality (SAM), years of potential life lost (YPLL) for adults and infants, and productivity losses for adults.

Weight and Risk of Death

Cause-specific excess deaths associated with underweight, overweight, and obesity.
This article estimates cause-specific excess deaths associated with underweight (BMI <18.5), overweight (BMI 25-<30), and obesity.

Excess deaths associated with underweight, overweight, and obesity.
This article provides estimates on the number of excess deaths in 2000 associated with given BMI levels.


Last Updated: July 28, 2008

 

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