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About 40 percent of Premature Deaths in U.S. are Preventable: CDC

Five major causes of Death in the U.S. are highly preventable
(Photo : Flickr) Five major causes of Death in the U.S. are highly preventable

Almost 40 percent of premature deaths caused by five serious diseases are preventable, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

Nearly 63 percent of the deaths in United States during 2010 were due to chronic heart diseases, cancer, respiratory infections, strokes and unintentional injuries. Experts believe the disease induced deaths can be avoided by changing lifestyle and inculcating healthy habits. The agency analyzed 2008 and 2010 data from the National Vital Statistics System to study the incidence of early disease related deaths in people living across states younger than 80 years.

The findings revealed the following statistical information- 34 percent of the cardiovascular problems are preventable followed by 21 percent for cancers, 39 percent for lower respiratory tract diseases, 33 percent of the stroke-related deaths and 39 percent of unintentional injuries. In addition, the reports cited unhealthy habits like intake of tobacco, too much sun exposure, drinking alcohol, lack of physical activity, exposure to harmful chemicals, and risky driving as the primary factors that lead to premature death.

Controlling these behaviors can significantly bring down the death rates in the country.

The southeastern states recorded the highest number of preventable deaths for all five causes.

"We have the biggest impact when we make the default choice the healthy choice, and that's what the healthiest states have done," Dr. Tom Frieden, director of CDC said reports the Live Science.

The officials believe an additional 100,000 annual deaths can be prevented and measures must be taken to ensure that young children do not have access to tobacco productsThe study urges institutions and public authorities to prohibit smoking in open places and school premises.

Furthermore, the reports suggest people to get regular screening for diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol to ward off the chances of developing heart problems. The data reminds individuals to wear seat belts, adhere to traffic rules and refrain from intake of drugs and alcohol before riding and driving.

"We think that this report can help states set goals for preventing premature death from the conditions that account for the majority of deaths in the United States," Harold W. Jaffe, MD, the study's senior author and CDC's associate director for science, said in the news release. "Achieving these goals could prolong the lives of tens of thousands of Americans."

May 02, 2014 09:26 AM EDT

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