General health
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
The 25 Most Common Causes of Death
#17: Bicycle accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 4,147
In 2009, 630 bicyclists were killed,
and a whopping 51,000 were injured in accidents. Most of these deaths
occurred in urban areas, where there are more cars and traffic
congestion. The number one thing you can do to reduce your risk? Wear
a helmet!
#16: ATV or off-road vehicle
accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 3,579
In 2009, there were 376 reported
ATV-related deaths and 131,900 emergency room visits. This is a
steady decline from 2008, where there were 616 reported deaths and
135,100 emergency room visits. The reason ATV-related deaths have
declined is thanks to rider safety education and parental
supervision.
#15: Complications of medical and
surgical care
Odds of dying: 1 in 1,523
According to the National Hospital
Discharge Survey, 45 million surgeries were performed in 2007, so
it's a good thing that only 1 in 1,523 people will die from medical
or surgical complications. You are more than twice as likely to die
from complications of medical and surgical care than in an ATV or
off-road vehicle accident; the largest gap in odds on this list.
#14: Exposure to smoke, fire and
flames
Odds of dying: 1 in 1,235
In a burning house or building, you are
actually more likely to die from smoke inhalation than burning from
flames or heat. People have about three minutes to get out of a
burning structure before dying from smoke inhalation.
#13: Accidental drowning and
submersion
Odds of dying: 1 in 1,073
In the U.S., there were 3,443 fatal
unintentional drownings in 2007. Males were 3.7 times more likely to
die from drowning than females, because they are more likely to
engage in reckless behavior. Children under the age of 14 accounted
for one-fifth of these deaths from drowning.
#12: Motorcycle accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 802
It's no surprise that motorcycle
accidents are on this list. Riding a motorcycle is an infamously
dangerous activity. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
reports that 4,762 motorcycle deaths occurred in 2009, a 10 percent
decline from 2008.
#11: Pedestrian accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 623
But trading two wheels for two feet is
not any safer. Statistically, you are better off riding a motorcycle
than walking on a busy street. The three U.S. cities with the most
pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents every year are Atlanta,
Ga., with 10.97, Detroit, Mich., with 10.31 and Los Angeles, Calif.,
with
7.64. Pedestrian fatalities are more likely to occur in large cities
with heavy traffic.
#10: Assault by firearm
Odds of dying: 1 in 300
America is the gun violence capital of the world. According to FBI
crime statistics, there were 9,146 murders by firearm in 2009. Like death by accidental gun discharge, death rates for assault
by firearm in the U.S. are also disproportionate to similar
countries. It has the highest rate of firearm deaths among 25
high-income nations and more disturbingly, the overall
firearm-related death rate among U.S. children under age 15 is 12
times higher than the death rates of these 25 high-income nations
combined.
#9: Exposure to narcotics and
hallucinogens
Odds of dying: 1 in 289
Prescription opioid painkillers like
Oxycontin and Percocet are now the most dangerous
narcotics in America. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of North
Carolina and Duke University Medical Center report that in 2007,
there were more unintentional deaths from prescription opioid pain
killers than overdose deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. Even
alcohol, a substance well-known for its hazardous effects when
consumed in large quantities, doesn't compare to the dangers that
prescription opioids pose. The odds of dying from alcohol poisoning
are 1 in 10,909.
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