Death rates for seven of 15 leading causes of death decreased from 2009 to 2010, according to a National Vital Statistics Report (pdf) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report, which includes preliminary data for 2010, showed the following death rate reductions from 2009 to 2010:
• Diseases of the heart, the leading cause of death: 2.4 percent decrease.
• Malignant neoplasms, the second leading cause of death: 0.6 percent decrease.
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases, the third leading cause of death: 1.4 percent decrease.
• Cerebrovascular diseases, the fourth leading cause of death: 1.5 percent decrease.
• Accidents (unintentional injuries), the fifth leading cause of death: 1.1 percent decrease.
• Influenza and pneumonia, the ninth leading cause of death: 8.5 percent decrease.
• Septicemia, the 11th leading cause of death: 3.6 percent decrease.
However, death rates for five of 15 leading causes of death increased from 2009 to 2010:
• Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, the eighth leading cause of death: 1.3 percent increase.
• Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, the 12th leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Parkinson's disease, the 14th leading cause of death: 4.6 percent increase.
• Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, the 15th leading cause of death: 4.1 percent increase.
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The report, which includes preliminary data for 2010, showed the following death rate reductions from 2009 to 2010:
• Diseases of the heart, the leading cause of death: 2.4 percent decrease.
• Malignant neoplasms, the second leading cause of death: 0.6 percent decrease.
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases, the third leading cause of death: 1.4 percent decrease.
• Cerebrovascular diseases, the fourth leading cause of death: 1.5 percent decrease.
• Accidents (unintentional injuries), the fifth leading cause of death: 1.1 percent decrease.
• Influenza and pneumonia, the ninth leading cause of death: 8.5 percent decrease.
• Septicemia, the 11th leading cause of death: 3.6 percent decrease.
However, death rates for five of 15 leading causes of death increased from 2009 to 2010:
• Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, the eighth leading cause of death: 1.3 percent increase.
• Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, the 12th leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Parkinson's disease, the 14th leading cause of death: 4.6 percent increase.
• Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, the 15th leading cause of death: 4.1 percent increase.
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