Leading causes of death are classified according to the underlying cause and presented according to the number of deaths among US residents. As you can see from the chart shown below, (published data as of 2021), Heart Disease and Cancer are the top two spots. To some degree, both causes of death may be attributed in some people due to lifestyle choices and habits. # 8, (Diabetes), and #12 (Hypertension), are also preventable in many cases with the right lifestyle and dietary interventions. Further, our immune systems can be improved through solid nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
For more information see Heron M., Deaths: Leading causes for 2019. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 70 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. Table. Provisional count of deaths by leading causes of death – United States, 2021 § Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code U07.1 as the underlying cause of death. Source: National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System. Data for 2021 are provisional as of April 12, 2022. Provisional data are available on CDC’s WONDER platform (https://wonder.cdc.gov/). Please note that provisional data for injury-related deaths are reported with a 6-month lag on WONDER, and those numbers may not match the numbers reported in this table.
What’s missing from this chart?
According to the latest estimates, medical errors are estimated to contribute to approximately 251,000 deaths per year in the United States, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country, and according to the source providing the chart above, behind heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19. (Note that this was not listed in the chart!) This would represent approximately 9% of all deaths in the USA.
It is important to note that estimating the exact percentage of deaths caused by medical errors is challenging due to limitations in the reporting and tracking of medical errors, as well as difficulties in attributing a death solely to a medical error. Despite these challenges, there is widespread agreement that medical errors are a significant public health problem and efforts are ongoing to improve patient safety and reduce the incidence of medical errors.
What can I do to prevent being added to this chart?
To the degree that some of these causes of death may be preventable, you’ll want to evaluate your diet and lifestyle relative to the risks of disease and death presented above. For instance, we know that stress contributes to some types of disease states, and we know that poor nutrition also contributes to various diseases. Drinking to excess, smoking, and taking other lifestyle risks can also contribute to premature death by some of the causes listed. Herbs may be helpful in your quest for health, and your medical provider, including herbalists at Vital Force Herbal Clinic, can help you evaluate your current dietary and lifestyle choices and help you learn about and pursue healthier options.
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