Death is inevitable, although there are many people who are convinced they can live forever. For those of us more realistic about our own mortality, we can expect to live, on average, 78.5 years according to the latest statistics. This is an increase from just 20 years ago, but still for many, it seems like it’s too little time. The main causes of death are not old age, however. It is disease. Heart disease and cancer specifically account for about half of all deaths. There are other risk factors for untimely death, however, and it’s good to be prepared. One place to find more information is at TermLifeInsurance.org, but for now, here are Americans’ top causes of death. Since Death is the eventuality of us all there may come a time where we will have to search death records to find some information regarding a loved one. For this reason a good public death record finder is essential when you need to do a search.
Below Are Some Comon Causes of Death:
Heart Disease
This is the leading cause of death. It accounts for 28.5 percent of all deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Cancer
Death due to malignant tumors is responsible for 22.8 percent of deaths. This includes cancer that affects all areas of the body. The cancers causing the most deaths are lung cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and breast cancer in both women and men.
Stroke
If heart disease or cancer doesn’t end your life, then you may look forward to dying of a stroke. Also known as cerebrovascular disease, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain suddenly stops. At a distant third, strokes account for 6.7 percent of deaths each year. The leading cause of cerebrovascular disease is high blood pressure or hypertension.
Respiratory Diseases
Breathing is essential to life. Diseases that interfere with breathing cause 5.1 percent of deaths. These diseases include COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma.
Accidents
There are tragic, bizarre and funny reports of accidental deaths. Car accidents, slipping in the bathtub, choking on food, and falling debris have all lead to untimely deaths. There is a 4.4 percent chance you will die from something as ridiculous as tripping over a bump on the sidewalk.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a treatable disease in most cases. But for many, there are complications. This is why diabetes mellitus causes 3 percent of annual deaths.
Influenza and Pneumonia
Although flu shots are available, there are still many reasons why people get the flu. In some cases, the disease gets so bad it results in death. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. There are so many strands of the disease it may be hard to diagnose in time. Galloping pneumonia killed muppetmaster Jim Henson. Combined, influenza and pneumonia cause 2.7 percent of deaths.
Alzheimer’s
This disease causes 2.4 percent of annual deaths. Although there are some memories we would like to forget, Alzheimer’s slowly erodes all a person’s memories, leaving the victim a shell of his former self.
Kidney Disease
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis are the three main kidney diseases that lead to 1.7 percent of all deaths.
Blood Poisoning
Also known medically as septicemia or sepsis, this condition causes 1.4 percent of deaths. It is caused by a severe bacterial infection.
Suicide
Each year 1.3 percent of the population is so unhappy and hopeless that suicide seems the only solution.
Liver Disease
Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease account for 1.1 percent of deaths. Although liver transplants can often save a life, there is a long waiting list, not to mention stringent criteria for getting on it. Many die while waiting for their perfect match to expire.
Hypertension and Hypertensive Renal Disease
If primary hypertension is left untreated for a long time, kidney (renal) disease can occur. This disease accounts for .8 percent of deaths.
Parkinson’s Disease and Homicide
The disease that Michael J. Fox has and murder tie for the 14th leading cause of death, each accounting for .7 percent of deaths. I think it is clear which one most people would choose if given the option.
As you can see from the above list there are many reasons why a person would want to search for public death records. The home page of this site has many tips on how to do a free death record search.