Key Points
- To identify the leading causes of mortality in the United States and emphasize the need for preventive health measures.
- Analyzed data on causes of death in the United States for the year 2000.
- Examined trends in mortality related to smoking, diet, and physical inactivity.
- Smoking is identified as the primary cause of mortality in 2000.
- Poor diet and physical inactivity are projected to potentially surpass smoking as leading causes.
- Call for a more preventive approach in U.S. health care systems is underscored.
Abstract
These analyses show that smoking remains the leading cause of mortality. However, poor diet and physical inactivity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death. These findings, along with escalating health care costs and aging population, argue persuasively that the need to establish a more preventive orientation in the US health care and public health systems has become more urgent.
Cite This Study
Ali H. Mokdad (2004) studied this question.