Proportionate mortality trends: 1950 through 1986
Article Abstract:
Results from a study of mortality statistics for the US from the years 1950 through 1986 are presented, with particular focus on rates for the six major causes of death: heart disease, malignant neoplasms (commonly lumped together as ''cancer''), cerebrovascular disease (which affects the blood vessels in the brain), injuries, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and pneumonia and influenza (which are considered as one category). Because perinatal conditions (disorders in the weeks before and after childbirth) were a major cause of death before 1970, these rates were also analyzed. Results showed a decline in all-cause mortality (deaths due to all causes; all rates expressed per 100,000 population) during the time surveyed from 963.8 to 873.2 deaths. The age-adjusted rate dropped from 841.5 to 541.7 deaths, a decrease of almost 36 percent. The death rates due to heart disease, and pneumonia, and influenza have remained constant, while those for cerebrovascular disorders, injuries, and perinatal conditions have decreased. Mortality due to malignant neoplasms and COPD has increased. If life is divided into four main segments, a leading cause of death is associated with each: birth to 1 year, perinatal conditions; 1 through 34 years, injuries; 35 through 64 years, cancer; and 65 years and older, heart disease. A discussion is presented of the classification system for heart disease. Injuries are the most significant cause of lost years of life before age 65; some consider injuries to be the most important public health problem today. To improve death rates, controlling alcohol and tobacco intake, and reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure will be necessary. Given current trends, the proportion of people in the US greater than 80 years of age will increase. For them, heart disease is the main killer, and further research into its causes is warranted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Regional variation in the incidence of hip fracture: US white women aged 65 years and older
Article Abstract:
Fracture of the hip occurs frequently and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women over the age of 65 in the US. The incidence of hip fractures varies by geographic region. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintain computerized databases of records of hospital discharges. Medical records of white women aged 65 and older were selected to determine the incidence of hip fracture by county of residence. A north-to-south geographic pattern was noticed, with higher rates of hip fracture in the South and lower rates in the North. A cluster of high incidence was noted in the counties in the southeastern US. A positive association was noted between hip fracture incidence and poverty level. There was a weak association between county fluoridated water supply and hip fracture incidence. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the increased incidence of hip fracture in the South. Incidence of traumatic falls leading to hip fracture, and risk factors for osteoporosis, such as dietary fluoride and calcium consumption, sunlight exposure, physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking, may be factors to examine further. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Systolic and diastolic heart failure in the community
Article Abstract:
An investigation is conducted to prospectively measure ejection fraction (EF), the heart failure (HF) syndrome, diastolic function, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in community residents with HF. The results suggest that, in the community, more than half of patients with HF have preserved EF, isolated diastolic dysfunction in more than 40% of cases, and ejection failure and diastolic dysfunction are independently related to higher level of BNP.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2006
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