NCHS: A Blog of the National Center for Health Statistics
15 Leading Causes of Death in the United States: 2018
Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States during 2018 (the most recent year in which final data are available). There were 48,344 suicides in 2018, which is over 5,000 deaths more than the 11th leading cause of death, Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (42,838 deaths). Right behind liver disease and cirrhosis Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Age-Adjusted Drug Overdose Death Rates by State — United States, 2018
In 2018, 23 states and DC had drug overdose death rates that were higher than the national rate of 20.7 per 100,000. Except for Arizona and New Mexico, states with higher rates were in the eastern part of the country, including the two states with the highest rates: West Virginia (51.5) and Delaware (43.8). Twenty-four Read More >
Posted on byProvisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (thru September 2019)
Provisional data in the United States shows that the reported number of drug overdose deaths occurring in the United States decreased by 0.9% from the 12 months ending in September 2018 to the 12 months ending in September 2019, from 68,421 to 67,839. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Persons Who Had a Cold in the Past 2 Weeks, by Age Group and Calendar Quarter — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2018
In 2018, the percentage of persons of all ages who had a cold during the past 2 weeks was 16.6% in January–March, 8.5% in April–June, 7.0% in July–September, and 13.7% in October–December. Across all calendar quarters, colds were more common in younger persons than in older persons. A higher percentage of persons in each age Read More >
Posted on byIncrease in Suicide Mortality in the United States, 1999–2018
Questions for Holly Hedegaard, Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Increase in Suicide Mortality in the United States, 1999–2018.” Q: Are there any major changes in the suicide rates rate from 2017 to 2018? HH: The suicide rate in 2018 (14.2 per 100,000) is slightly higher than the rate in 2017 (14.0). Q: Can you Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Persons Aged 2–19 Years — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 through 2017–2018
From 1999–2000 to 2017–2018, the prevalence of obesity among persons aged 2–19 years increased from 13.9% to 19.3%, and the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 3.6% to 6.1%. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 to 2017–2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm. Read More >
Posted on byNCHS Welcomes Dr. Moyer as its New Center Director
Brian Moyer, Ph.D., M.A., has been named the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) effective March 30, 2020. Dr. Moyer has been serving as Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) since September 2014 and as Acting Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, which oversees Read More >
Posted on byFact or Fiction – Have maternal deaths in the United States been on the rise over the past several years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnH7DfRgU-w Source: National Vital Statistics System, 2018 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/maternal-mortality/index.htm Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Adults Who Had a Severe Headache or Migraine in the Past 3 Months, by Sex and Age Group
In 2018, women were nearly twice as likely as men to have had a severe headache or migraine in the past 3 months (20.1% versus 10.6%), both overall and within each age group. The percentage of persons experiencing severe headache or migraine declined with age for both men and women, from 25.5% among those aged Read More >
Posted on bySelected Causes of Death in the U.S., 2018
As the death toll from COVID-19 in the United States exceeds 1,000, NCHS has been frequently asked about what are some other causes of death that fall into this range. Below is a list of selected causes of death that killed between 1,000 and 2,000 people in the U.S. during 2018, the most recent complete Read More >
Posted on byTrends and Characteristics of Sexually Transmitted Infections During Pregnancy: United States, 2016-2018
Questions for Elizabeth Gregory, Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Trends and Characteristics of Sexually Transmitted Infections During Pregnancy: United States, 2016-2018.” Q: Why did you decide to a study on sexually transmitted infections (STI) during pregnancy? EG: Maternal STIs during pregnancy are infrequently reported but important health issues given the potential for negative health Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged 50–75 Years Who Met Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Recommendations — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2018
March is Colorectal Awareness Month. 67% of U.S. adults aged 50–75 years met the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for colorectal cancer screening. Most persons (60.6%) had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years. Cancer screening leads to early detection, and early detection saves lives. Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6911a7.htm Read More >
Posted on byFact or Fiction – Are Flu and pneumonia are responsible for 57,000 deaths in the United States each year?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LLLgfCUlFI Source: National Vital Statistics System, 1999-2018 https://wonder.cdc.gov Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Children and Adolescents Aged 4–17 Years with Serious Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties by Sex and Urbanization Level
During 2016–2018, the percentage of children and adolescents aged 4–17 years with serious emotional or behavioral difficulties was higher among those living in nonmetropolitan areas (6.7%) than among those living in metropolitan areas (5.3%). Among boys, those living in nonmetropolitan areas (8.5%) were more likely to have serious emotional or behavioral difficulties than those living Read More >
Posted on by3 out of 4 Flu & Pneumonia Deaths Occur Among Seniors Age 75+
Over the past 20 years (1999-2018), there were nearly one million deaths in the U.S. from influenza and pneumonia among Americans age 65 and over – accounting for 86% of all deaths from the illness over that time period. Nearly three in four deaths occurred among seniors age 75 and over. SOURCE: National Vital Statistics Read More >
Posted on byProvisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (thru August 2019)
Provisional data show that the reported number of drug overdose deaths occurring in the United States decreased by 1.9% from the 12 months ending in August 2018 to the 12 months ending in August 2019, from 68,714 to 67,410. The reported number of opioid-involved drug overdose deaths in the United States for the 12-month Read More >
Posted on byFlu & Pneumonia Toll in the U.S.: 57,688 Deaths Per Year
Over the past two decades, influenza & pneumonia has been the 8th leading cause of death in America. From 1999 to 2018, there were 1,153,761 deaths in the United States from influenza and pneumonia – an average of 57,688 deaths each year. The overall death rate from influenza and pneumonia, however, was higher two decades Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates by Sex and Three Most Common Methods — United States, 2000–2018
The three most common methods of suicide among males and females during 2000–2018 were by firearm, suffocation, and poisoning. After remaining steady from 2000 to 2006, age-adjusted firearm suicide rates increased during 2006–2018 among males (from 10.3 to 12.6 per 100,000) and females (from 1.4 to 1.9). Suffocation suicide rates among males and females increased Read More >
Posted on byRecent Trends in Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery: United States, 2016–2018
Questions for Michelle Osterman, M.H.S., Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Recent Trends in Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery: United States, 2016–2018,” Q: Why did you decide to do a report on rates of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC)? MO: Women who deliver vaginally after a previous cesarean delivery are less likely to experience Read More >
Posted on byRacial and Ethnic Differences in the Prevalence of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities Among U.S. Children Aged 3–17 Years
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities are the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children and often coexist. Previous research has suggested that the prevalence of these conditions may differ by race and Hispanic origin. Using timely, nationally representative data, this report examines the reported prevalence of ADHD and learning disabilities by race and ethnicity Read More >
Posted on byTrends in electronic health records use among residential care communities: United States 2012, 2014, and 2016
Questions for Christine Caffrey Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Trends in electronic health records use among residential care communities: United States 2012, 2014, and 2016.” Q: Why did you decide to focus on electronic health records use and support for health information exchange among residential care communities? CC: Since how health information is organized Read More >
Posted on byPrevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018
Questions for Craig Hales, Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018.” Q: How has the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in U.S. adults changed since 1999-2000? CH: The prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among U.S. adults increased since 1999-2000. The prevalence of obesity Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Age-Adjusted Percentage of Adults Aged 25 Years or Older Who Saw a Dentist in the Past Year by Education Level and Sex
In 2018, among adults aged 25 years or older, women (69.4%) were more likely than men (61.2%) to have seen a dentist in the past year. The percentage of men and women who saw a dentist in the past year increased as education level increased. Among women, those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher were Read More >
Posted on byPrevalence of Children Aged 3–17 Years With Developmental Disabilities, by Urbanicity: United States, 2015–2018
Questions for Ben Zablotsky, Ph.D., Health Statistician and Lead Author of “Prevalence of Children Aged 3–17 Years With Developmental Disabilities, by Urbanicity: United States, 2015–2018.” Q: Why did you decide to focus on urbanicity among children with developmental disabilities? BZ: Thanks to previous research, we know that children with developmental disabilities typically require more health Read More >
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