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DCHD’s Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Reveals Duval County’s Leading Causes of Death
September 24, 2007
The Duval County Health Department’s Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research released a comprehensive report of its research on leading causes of death in Duval County in August 2007. The report provides overall data on death, leading causes of death, death rates and causes of death by selected characteristics such as race and gender in Duval County in comparison with Florida and the U.S.
Heart disease and cancer were the top two leading causes of death in Duval County in 2005. The rate for heart disease deaths was 188.3 per 100,000. Heart disease made up almost one-quarter, 23.4%, of all deaths in Duval County. This rate is well above the Healthy People 2010 target of 166 per 100,000 deaths. Cancer, the second leading cause of death, made up almost one-quarter of all deaths as well at 23.1%. Cancer was also the leading cause of years of potential life lost (YPLL) in 2005 with 1,777 per 100,000. Accidents, including all unintentional injuries, were the second leading cause of YPLL with 1406.9 per 100,000.
The leading cause of death for ages 5-34 was injuries, accounting for 60% of all deaths in the reported years. Intentional injuries, most commonly violent related deaths such as homicide and suicide, made up over one-quarter (26.2%) of all deaths for the reported years.
The report data indicated most disease and injuries can be associated with more than one cause of death, and several factors may contribute to a single death. Some factors found to be associated with causes of death are tobacco, poor diet and physical activity, alcohol consumption, microbial agents (infectious agents), toxic agents, motor vehicles, firearms, sexual behavior and illicit drug use. However, modifying behavior and life style can significantly reduce death.
Program and policy efforts in Duval County aimed at health behavior change should continue as these approaches have demonstrated considerate progress in many health problems. Duval County Health Department’s heath promotion programs and services make concerted efforts to address and educate Duval County residents on the importance of prevention and taking responsibility for their health and health education.
“The high rates of death in Jacksonville and the years of potential life lost (YPLL) statistics tell us that many people are dying in Jacksonville before comparable groups of people in other areas. We do not appear to be effectively addressing the health of all of our citizens, “said DCHD’s Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Director, Dr. William Livingood.
For questions about the report contact Rebecca Filipowicz, MPH, MS, CHES Coordinator, Center for Health Statistics Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Duval County Health Department at 253-2051.
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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