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Excess deaths from nine chronic diseases in the United States, 1986

R A Hahn1, S M Teutsch, R B Rothenberg

  • 1Division of Surveillance and Epidemiologic Studies, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.

JAMA
|November 28, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Chronic disease mortality in the US shows significant excess, with potential for a 4-year life expectancy increase by reducing risk factors. This study quantizes preventable deaths from major chronic illnesses.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic diseases represent a significant public health burden in the United States.
  • Variations in mortality rates across states suggest potential for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify excess mortality from nine major chronic diseases in the US.
  • To estimate the potential reduction in mortality and increase in life expectancy through risk factor elimination.

Main Methods:

  • Age-adjusted mortality rates for nine chronic diseases in 1986 were analyzed.
  • Rates were compared to state-specific minimums and a theoretical minimum after risk factor elimination.

Main Results:

  • State-level excess mortality ranged from 0% to 37% compared to the lowest state rates.
  • Eliminating one risk factor per disease could reduce mortality by 26%-54%, preventing an estimated 524,000 deaths annually.
  • Achieving this minimum rate could increase life expectancy by 4 years.

Conclusions:

  • Significant excess mortality from chronic diseases exists in the US, highlighting substantial room for improvement.
  • Targeted risk factor reduction offers a powerful strategy to decrease chronic disease deaths and enhance population health.
  • Public health interventions focused on risk factor modification hold the potential for substantial gains in life expectancy.

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