International death rates compared

Since 1950 substantial progress has been made in reducing mortality in the United States. The decline in age-adjusted death rates was especially notable among women and among nonwhite persons. In particular, women of all other races recorded a precipitous reduction in death rates. Notwithstanding, age-adjusted death rates in the United States are still higher than those in other countries with traditionally low mortality. Moreover, very little progress has been achieved in the past decade in narrowing the international mortality gap. Currently, the United States ranks eleventh out of 15 countries under review. Men and women in Japan have the best mortality record.