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CDC: U.S. Death Rates Hit Record Lows Last Year

— Infant mortality rates slightly more pronounced

MedpageToday

Age-adjusted mortality rates inched down to record lows among the U.S. population in 2014, with infant mortality rates also the lowest in history, according to the results of a CDC report.

The age-adjusted death rate fell 1.0% in 2014 to a record low of 724.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population (from 731.9 in 2013), reported Sherry L. Murphy, of the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues in a

Declines in infant mortality were slightly more pronounced, with the infant mortality rate falling 2.3% to 582.1 infant deaths per 100,000 live births (from 596.1 in 2013), which the authors described as a "historic low."

Though the year-to-year decline in age-adjusted death rates was relatively insignificant, the authors noted that it continued a positive trend, as the death rate has declined 16.6% from 2000 to 2014. In 2014, life expectancy remained virtually unchanged -- 78.8 years for U.S. population, with 81.2 years for women and 76.4 years for men.

However, the 10 leading causes of death did not change from 2013 to 2014, and accounted for 73.8% of all deaths in 2014. Heart disease was once again the most common cause of death (167.0 deaths per 100,000 standard population), followed by cancer (161.2 deaths per 100,000 standard population).

But age-adjusted death rates shifted for the majority of these 10 conditions, with five exhibiting declines from 2013 and four seeing increases.

Compared to 2013, influenza and pneumonia had the largest declines (-5.0%). Other changes in causes of death with decreases in 2014 were:

  • Chronic lower respiratory diseases: -3.8%
  • Heart disease: -1.6%
  • Diabetes: -1.4%
  • Cancer: -1.2%

Alzheimer's disease saw the largest increase in death rate, rising 8.1% since 2013. The CDC also noted separately that early 2015 data shows

Suicide (+3.2%), unintentional injuries (+2.8%), and stroke (+0.8%) also increased in 2014. Only the rate of death from kidney disease remained unchanged.

Infant mortality rates exhibited similar patterns, with the top 10 leading causes of death comprising nearly 70% of all infant deaths (69.1%). Congenital malformations were the most common cause of infant death (119.0 deaths per 100,000 live births) followed by low birth weight (104.6 deaths).

Causes of infant death remained relatively stable, with the exception of respiratory distress of the newborn, which decreased 13.5% from 2013 (11.5 infant deaths per 100,000 live births versus 13.3, respectively).

Examining demographic characteristics, overall age-adjusted death rates declined especially among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks. Death rates fell 2.5% among Hispanic females, 2.1% among non-Hispanic black males, and 2.0% among Hispanic males. Rates were slightly lower for non-Hispanic black females (down 1.3% versus 2013) and non-Hispanic white females and males (-0.7% and -0.5%, respectively).

Primary Source

NCHS Data Brief

Murphy SL, et al "Mortality in the U.S., 2014" NCHS Data Brief 2015; 229.