The report, which includes preliminary data for 2010, showed the following death rate reductions from 2009 to 2010:
• Diseases of the heart, the leading cause of death: 2.4 percent decrease.
• Malignant neoplasms, the second leading cause of death: 0.6 percent decrease.
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases, the third leading cause of death: 1.4 percent decrease.
• Cerebrovascular diseases, the fourth leading cause of death: 1.5 percent decrease.
• Accidents (unintentional injuries), the fifth leading cause of death: 1.1 percent decrease.
• Influenza and pneumonia, the ninth leading cause of death: 8.5 percent decrease.
• Septicemia, the 11th leading cause of death: 3.6 percent decrease.
However, death rates for five of 15 leading causes of death increased from 2009 to 2010:
• Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, the eighth leading cause of death: 1.3 percent increase.
• Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, the 12th leading cause of death: 3.3 percent increase.
• Parkinson’s disease, the 14th leading cause of death: 4.6 percent increase.
• Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, the 15th leading cause of death: 4.1 percent increase.
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