List of preventable causes of death
The World Health Organization has traditionally classified death according to the primary type of disease or injury. However, causes of death may also be classified in terms of preventable risk factors—such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and sexual behavior—which contribute to a number of different diseases. Such risk factors are usually not recorded directly on death certificates.[1]
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[edit] Leading causes worldwide
Leading causes of preventable death worldwide as of the year 2001.[2]
| Cause | Number of deaths resulting (millions per year) |
|---|---|
| Hypertension | 7.8 |
| Smoking tobacco | 5.0 |
| High cholesterol | 3.9 |
| Malnutrition | 3.8 |
| Sexually transmitted diseases | 3.0 |
| Poor diet | 2.8 |
| Overweight and obesity | 2.5 |
| Physical inactivity | 2.0 |
| Alcohol | 1.9 |
| Indoor air pollution from solid fuels | 1.8 |
| Unsafe water and poor sanitation | 1.6 |
[edit] Leading causes in the United States
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Leading preventable causes of death in the United States.[3] Note: this data is outdated and was in fact significantly revised in subsequent reports of the leading causes of deaths, especially for obesity-related diseases.
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Leading causes of accidental death in the United States by age group.[4]
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Leading causes of accidental death in the United States, as percentage of deaths in each group.[4]
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| Cause | Number | Percent of total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking tobacco | 435,000[3] | 18.1% | |
| Being overweight and obesity | 111,909[5] | 4.6% | There was considerable debate about the differences in the numbers of obesity-related diseases. The numbers reported in the referenced article have been found to be the most accurate.[6] |
| Alcohol | 85,000[3] | 3.5% | |
| Infectious diseases | 75,000[3] | 3.1% | |
| Toxic agents including toxins, particulates and radon | 55,000[3] | 2.3% | |
| Traffic collisions | 43,000[3] | 1.8% | |
| Firearms deaths | 29,000[3] | 1.2% | Suicide: 16,586; homicide: 10,801; Accidents: 776; Legal intervention: 270; Unknown: 230 |
| Sexually transmitted infections | 20,000[3] | 0.8% | |
| Drug abuse | 17,000[3] | 0.7% |
[edit] Leading causes among children worldwide
Various accidents are the leading cause of death in children 9 – 18 years of age. The top five worldwide unintentional injuries in children are as follows:[7]
| Cause | Number of deaths resulting |
|---|---|
| Traffic collision |
260,000 per year |
| Drowning |
175,000 per year |
| Burns |
96,000 per year |
| Falls |
47,000 per year |
| Toxins |
45,000 per year |
[edit] See also
- Suicide
- List of causes of death by rate
- Physical trauma#Common causes
- Preventive medicine
- Public health
[edit] References
- ^ "Preventable causes of death in North Carolina". N C Med J 63 (4): 196. 2002. PMID 12970957. http://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/jul-aug-02/numbers.pdf.
- ^ Lopez AD, Mathers CD, Ezzati M, Jamison DT, Murray CJ (May 2006). "Global and regional burden of disease and risk factors, 2001: systematic analysis of population health data". Lancet 367 (9524): 1747–57. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68770-9. PMID 16731270.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL (March 2004). "Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000". JAMA 291 (10): 1238–45. doi:10.1001/jama.291.10.1238. PMID 15010446. http://www.csdp.org/research/1238.pdf.
- ^ a b National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 50, No. 15, September 16, 2002 as compiled at [1]
- ^ Flegal, K.M., B.I. Graubard, D.F. Williamson, and M.H. Gail. (2005). "Obesity". Journal of the American Medical Association 293 (15): 1861–1867. doi:10.1001/jama.293.15.1861. PMID 15840860.
- ^ http://www.rti.org/pubs/IssueBrief_1.pdf
- ^ a b "BBC NEWS | Special Reports | UN raises child accidents alarm". BBC News. December 10, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7776127.stm. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
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