Causes of Death Compared and Complicated

White House officials are projecting between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths in the U.S. with coronavirus fatalities peaking over the next two weeks. How many deaths would COVID-19 need to cause to be in the top 10 for causes of death in the U.S.? Also, since COVID-19 is most deadly to those with compromised immune systems, how many COVID-19 infected will die from other diseases with Coronavirus as a complicating factor? Here is an edited version of a previously published medical news article highlighting some of the metrics around mortality in the U.S.

COVID-19 is deadly, but as we discuss ways to counter the pandemic, there are many lessons to learn from other enduring threats to life.

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.

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.

2. Cancer

• Deaths in 2017: 599,108
• Percentage of total deaths: 21.3%

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

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:

5. Stroke and cerebrovascular diseases

• Deaths in 2017: 146,383
• Percentage of total deaths: 5.2%

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%

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.

In this article, learn more about Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Diabetes

• Deaths in 2017: 83,564
• Percentage of total deaths: 3%

Learn more about diabetes, including some of the treatment options, here.

8. Influenza and pneumonia

• Deaths in 2017: 55,672
• Percentage of total deaths: 2%

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.

10. Suicide

• Deaths in 2017: 47,173