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U.S. death rates show dramatic decrease


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ATLANTA, Sep 13, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The U.S. death rates reportedly decreased 32 percent between 1970 and 2002, with the largest decreases recorded for heart disease and stroke.

But researchers found an increase in death rates for diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, an article in the Sept. 14 issue of JAMA reported.

Ahmedin Jemal of the American Cancer Society and colleagues found the age-standardized death rate per 100,000 deaths annually from all causes decreased from 1,242 in 1970 to 845 during 2002, a 32 percent decrease.

The largest percentage decreases were from stroke (63 percent), heart disease (52 percent), and accidents (41 percent). The largest absolute decrease in death rates was from heart disease (262 deaths per 100,000), followed by stroke (96 deaths per 100,000).

Cancer deaths increased between 1970 and 1990 and then decreased through 2002, yielding a net decline of 2.7 percent. In contrast, diabetes death rates increased by 45 percent from 1987.

The researchers said an increase in COPD deaths resulted largely from long-term effects of tobacco smoking in an aging population, whereas the increase in diabetes mortality reflects dramatic increases in obesity.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International.

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