Top 10 Most Important Causes of Death in USA | Gyan Unlimited

Leading causes of death in the USA

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two diseases, heart disease and cancer, are the most common causes of death in the United States of America. Both diseases accounted for half (46%) of deaths in America. Followed by these, the third spot has been taken by accidents. As per the CDC, the other causes of death in the USA are respiratory congestion, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, influenza and pneumonia.

Here, we will discuss the factual data of the diseases, their causes, and what lifestyle preventive measures should be taken to control the death rates.

Top 10 causes of death in the US

1. Heart disease

• Heart disease is the foremost leading cause of death in the US.
• It accounted for about 23.1 per cent of all deaths.
• It is more common in men than women.
• The main reasons for this disease are heartbeat problems, high levels of cholesterol, irregular functioning of the heart and stress.
• Preventive tips: Do Yoga and Meditation, Brisk walk and focus on a healthy diet

2. Cancer

• Cancer is America’s second most important cause of death and causes 21.7% of deaths.
• It can be to anyone. However, those who are alcoholics, obese, and people with a family history of this disease.
• The leading cause of the disease is the irregular division of cells.
• The preventive tips are yoga & meditation, focusing on healthy and natural diets and doing regular checks.

3. Accidents

• It is the third leading cause of death, accounting for 5.9% of total extinction.
• The crucial reasons are vehicle and unintentional.
• The best preventive measures are awareness and careful driving.

4. Respiratory diseases

• Respiratory issues and problems are the fourth most common death in the USA, accounting for 5.6 % of deaths.
• It is more common among men and people of lower income groups.
• The primary reasons for the disease are asthma, respiratory congestion, COPD, use of tobacco and smoking
• The preventive measures: Do Breathing exercises and Pranayama. Skip smoking.

5. Stroke

• The fifth most important reason for death in the USA is stroke, accounting for 5.18 %.
• The disease is more common in men with diseases like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Strokes happen when the blood flow to the brain region gets interrupted.
• The prevention tips: regular exercise, Yoga, breathing exercises, especially Kapalbhati, and eating a healthy diet.

6. Alzheimer’s disease

• About 4. 23% of deaths are reported due to this disease.
• The disease is more common among women, people aged 65 plus and those who have a family history of it.
• The reasons for the disease are uncertain. However, genetic factors and lifestyle aspects may be responsible for this.
• The preventive tips for this disease are regular exercise, yoga and meditation, eating fresh and healthy foods, and participation in quizzes and puzzles.

7. Diabetes

• The disease is not only rampant in the USA but widely spread all over the world. As far as the USA is concerned, it accounted for 2.9 per cent of total deaths in America.
• The reason for Type 1 diabetes is insufficient insulin production by the pancreas, and type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. It can be prevented by doing yoga.
• The other preventive measures are eating fresh fruits and vegetables, doing 30 minutes of exercise daily and focusing on maintaining glucose levels.

8. Influenza

• Influenza and pneumonia are also fundamental reasons in America. A total of 1.88 per cent of deaths occurred due to it.
• It is more common with children and pregnant mothers.
• It is an infectious disease caused by viral infection and is more common in winter.
• As far as preventive aspects are concerned, one should be vaccinated. Wash your hands regularly.

9. Kidney disease

• The percentage of total deaths that occurred due to this disease is 1.8 per cent.
• It is more common with obese people and people with chronic health conditions, viz., high blood pressure and diabetes. The leading cause of the disease is nephritis and nephrosis. The preventive tips are more water intake, regular exercise, and a low-sodium diet.

10. Suicide

• This is also one of the important causes of death in the USA. About 1.64 per cent of people lost their lives through suicide.
• It is more common in men associated with depression, alcohol addiction, etc.
• The preventive aspects include spending more time with family, friends and peer groups.

Top 12 infectious diseases in the U.S.

1. Chlamydia-A sexually transmitted disease
2. Influenza A & B
3. Staph-Infection on the skin through a specific type of bacteria.
4. E. Coli
5. Herpes Simplex 1
6. Shigellosis
7. Syphilis
8. Gonorrhea
9. Salmonella
10. Hepatitis C
11. HIV
12. Common Cold

Epidemics and Outbreaks in the United States

• 1775-1782: Smallpox
• 1793: Yellow fever
• 1829-1851: Cholera
• 1847: Typhus
• 1863-75: Cholera
• 1900-1904: Plague
• 1918: Flu
• 1976: Legionellosis
• 1985: Salmonellosis
• 1985: Listeriosis
• 2006: E Coli
• 2009: Flu
• 2011: Listeriosis
• 2019: COVID-19