Related Concept Videos
Other Pulmonary Disorders
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Causality in Epidemiology
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Deaths: Leading Causes for 2019.
Deaths: Leading Causes for 2018.
Comparability of Race-specific Mortality Data Based on 1977 Versus 1997 Reporting Standards.
Deaths: Leading Causes for 2017.
Healthy People 2020: Rural Areas Lag In Achieving Targets For Major Causes Of Death.
Births: Final Data for 2024.
Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2017-2023.
United States Life Tables, 2023.
U.S. State Life Tables, 2022.
Deaths: Leading Causes for 2023.
Trends in Births and Deaths: United States, 2010-2023.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (Propensity Score) using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Deaths: leading causes for 2008.
1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
Heart disease and cancer were the top causes of death in the US in 2008, accounting for 76% of all deaths. Leading causes varied by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin, with distinct infant mortality patterns observed.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Mortality Statistics
Background:
- The Division of Vital Statistics annually reports final mortality statistics.
- This report specifically presents final 2008 data on leading causes of death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present final 2008 data on the 10 leading causes of death in the United States.
- To analyze these causes by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
- To present leading causes of infant, neonatal, and postneonatal death.
Main Methods:
- Data derived from all death certificates filed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2008.
- Causes of death classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).
- Ranking of causes based on the number of deaths attributed to underlying causes.
Main Results:
- The 10 leading causes of death in 2008 were heart disease, malignant neoplasms, chronic lower respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, accidents, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, nephritis, and suicide.
- These top 10 causes accounted for approximately 76% of all US deaths in 2008.
- Significant variations in leading causes were observed across different age groups, sexes, races, and Hispanic origins. Leading infant causes included congenital malformations, disorders related to short gestation, and sudden infant death syndrome, with notable neonatal and postneonatal differences.
Conclusions:
- Mortality patterns in the US are diverse and influenced by demographic factors.
- Understanding leading causes of death is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Infant mortality exhibits distinct patterns requiring targeted interventions.
