Summary
- • Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 31% of all deaths worldwide.
- • Ischemic heart disease is responsible for 16% of the world's total deaths.
- • Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death globally, accounting for 11% of total deaths.
- • In the United States, heart disease kills 647,000 people annually.
- • One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
- • About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—that's 1 in every 4 deaths.
- • In 2017, stroke accounted for about 1 of every 19 deaths in the United States.
- • Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.
- • Every 4 minutes, someone dies of stroke in the United States.
- • Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018.
- • Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths in 2020.
- • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with 2.3 million new cases in 2020.
- • Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
- • Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 1.9 million new cases in 2020.
- • Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths.
Most Likely To Die: A Cheeky Exploration of the Worlds Leading Causes of Demise. Forget high school superlatives – when it comes to the ultimate send-off, heart disease takes the crown, boasting a whopping 31% of all global fatalities. And while you may have been in the running for Best Dressed back in the day, its lung cancer thats making a statement with 1.8 million fashionably late departures in 2020. So, buckle up, buttercup, as we delve into the numbers behind the most anticipated finale of them all – mortality.
Accidents and Injuries
- Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
- Approximately 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes.
- More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
- 93% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.
- Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
- Each year an estimated 646,000 individuals die from falls globally.
- Over 80% of fall-related fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Adults older than 65 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls.
- Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide.
- An estimated 236,000 people die from drowning every year.
- More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Drowning is one of the top 5 causes of death for people aged 1-14 years in 48 of 85 countries studied.
Interpretation
Amidst a sea of unsettling statistics lies the harsh reality that road traffic injuries, falls, and drowning incidents claim a staggering number of lives annually, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations and lower-income countries. While the numbers may seem overwhelming, they serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures and public awareness campaigns. From dodging reckless drivers to avoiding slip-ups and staying afloat, these statistics are not just numbers on a page but a call to action for policymakers and individuals alike to navigate towards a safer world for all ages and walks of life.
Cancer
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018.
- Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths in 2020.
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with 2.3 million new cases in 2020.
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 1.9 million new cases in 2020.
- Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths.
- About 30-50% of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies.
Interpretation
In the deadly game of life, cancer seems to be leading the pack with statistics that can send chills down your spine faster than a rollercoaster ride. Lung cancer has claimed the top spot as the ultimate Grim Reaper, stalking its victims with a relentless grip. Meanwhile, breast cancer is the reigning queen of female devastation, proving that even the most delicate of flowers can succumb to the harshest of blows. As for prostate cancer, it silently lurks in the shadows, a reminder that men are not invincible. And let's not forget colorectal cancer, quietly creeping up the ranks like a skilled assassin. With tobacco serving as the conniving puppet master behind 22% of cancer deaths, it's high time we expose its villainous ways. It's a numbers game, a deadly dance, but remember, prevention is always the wittiest way to outsmart your fate.
Cardiovascular Diseases
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 31% of all deaths worldwide.
- Ischemic heart disease is responsible for 16% of the world's total deaths.
- Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death globally, accounting for 11% of total deaths.
- In the United States, heart disease kills 647,000 people annually.
- One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
- About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—that's 1 in every 4 deaths.
- In 2017, stroke accounted for about 1 of every 19 deaths in the United States.
- Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.
- Every 4 minutes, someone dies of stroke in the United States.
Interpretation
It seems that our hearts and brains are really vying for the title of "Most Likely to Die" in the global mortality contest. Heart disease and stroke are playing a deadly game of tag, with statistics showing that they are in a fierce battle for the top spots in the death charts. It's a serious reminder that we should all pay attention to the health of these vital organs, because they don't discriminate in their lethal efficiency. So let's all take a moment to appreciate our hardworking hearts and brains, and give them the care and attention they deserve to avoid becoming another grim statistic in this deadly game of life.
Infectious Diseases
- HIV/AIDS is no longer among the world's top 10 causes of death, having killed 954,000 people in 2019.
- Tuberculosis remains in the global top 10 causes of death, with 1.4 million deaths in 2019.
- Malaria caused an estimated 409,000 deaths worldwide in 2019.
- Hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 820,000 deaths in 2019.
- Measles vaccination resulted in a 73% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2018 worldwide.
- Diarrhoeal diseases are the 8th leading cause of death globally, killing 1.5 million people in 2019.
- Cholera causes an estimated 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Interpretation
In the eternal game of "Most Likely To Die," HIV/AIDS has gracefully stepped back, passing the torch to other formidable contenders. Tuberculosis, with its knack for endurance, remains a steadfast member of the global top 10 causes of death, while Malaria and Hepatitis B flex their deadly prowess with significant tolls in 2019. Meanwhile, measles vaccination swoops in as the unlikely hero, showcasing a dramatic 73% drop in deaths over the years. In this macabre hierarchy, even diarrhoeal diseases manage to secure their spot as the 8th leading cause of death, proving that in the grand scheme of mortality, no one is truly safe from the grasp of fate - not even cholera, lurking ominously in the shadows with its annual silent toll.
Liver Diseases
- Cirrhosis is now the 11th most common cause of death globally.
- Liver cancer is the 16th most common cause of death globally.
- Alcohol-related liver disease accounts for 1 in 3 liver transplants in the United States.
- Globally, alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million deaths each year.
- Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Approximately 290,000 people die each year from hepatitis C-related liver diseases.
Interpretation
These statistics paint a sobering picture of the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption on liver health. It seems that our livers are literally taking a beating from our drinking habits, with cirrhosis and liver cancer steadily climbing the ranks of leading causes of death worldwide. Perhaps it's time to raise a glass of water in honor of our hardworking livers and consider making some healthier lifestyle choices before we become just another statistic. Remember, it's all fun and games until your liver starts sending out distress signals.
Metabolic Disorders
- Diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths in 2019.
- The number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.
- Diabetes prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
- In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 48% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years.
- Between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality from diabetes.
- In 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths.
Interpretation
With the numbers of diabetes-related deaths and cases skyrocketing like a sugar rush in a candy store, it's clear that this disease is no "sweet" joke. From causing a plethora of serious health issues to claiming lives before they've barely started, diabetes is quickly becoming the ultimate Grim Reaper of the modern world. As low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this epidemic, it's time to put down the sugary snacks and jump off the sugar-coated bandwagon before it's too late. After all, who wants to be Most Likely To Die from a preventable disease that's sweeter than poison?
Neurological Disorders
- Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are now the 7th leading cause of death globally.
- Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, with nearly 60% living in low- and middle-income countries.
- There are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia every year worldwide.
- The total number of people with dementia is projected to reach 82 million in 2030 and 152 million in 2050.
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
- In the United States, Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death.
- 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia in the United States.
Interpretation
As the saying goes, "death and taxes are the only certainties in life." But it seems Alzheimer's disease and dementia are quickly climbing up the ranks to challenge that notion. With statistics indicating that these neurological conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent and deadly, it's no wonder that they are now among the leading causes of death globally. In fact, it seems that in the future, it might be more common to forget where you left your keys than to evade the grasp of these ruthless diseases. So, it might be time to start investing in some top-notch memory-enhancing strategies because it looks like Alzheimer's is not here to play games—it's here to win the morbid race to the top.
Respiratory Diseases
- Lower respiratory infections remained the 4th leading cause of death globally in 2019.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide.
- COPD caused 3.23 million deaths in 2019.
- Over 80% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of COPD, with 90% of COPD deaths related to smoking.
- Pneumonia accounts for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years old.
- Pneumonia killed 740,180 children under the age of 5 in 2019.
Interpretation
In a world where numbers often speak louder than words, the grim statistics surrounding lower respiratory infections and COPD paint a stark picture of the deadly consequences of compromised lung health. The fact that over 80% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries serves as a poignant reminder of the global disparities in access to quality healthcare. Tobacco smoke continues to cast a dark shadow over the narrative, with 90% of COPD deaths linked to smoking. The heartbreaking reality of pneumonia rears its head with a devastating toll on young lives, claiming the lives of over 740,000 children under the age of 5 in 2019 alone. These statistics not only underscore the urgent need for preventative measures and improved healthcare infrastructure but also serve as a somber reflection on the fragility of life, particularly when the breath that sustains us is at stake.
