Leading Cause Of Death In The 20th Century

The leading causes of death have changed considerably over the 20th century. Heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, and unintentional injuries have been the 5 out of 10 leading causes of death since 2000. By the year 2000, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, and diphtheria have fallen off the list of the top 10 diseases in 1900 and deaths from influenza and pneumonia dropped from first to seventh position on the list. The increase in crude rates for heart disease and cancer in 2000 has been due to increase in elderly population over age 65. Age adjusted mortality rates fell about 75% between 1900 and 2000. There was a substantial increase in homicide rates since 1950. Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic