Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2007

This report presents preliminary mortality data for the United States based on vital records for a substantial proportion of deaths occurring in 2007. In 2007, age-adjusted death rates decreased from 2006 by 2.1 percent for males and by 2.2 percent for females. The preliminary estimate of life expectancy at birth for the total population in 2007 reached a record high of 77.9 years. This represents an increase of 0.2 years relative to 2006. Life expectancy for males and females reached record levels in 2007. In 2007, both male and female life expectancies increased from 2006 by 0.2 years, from 75.1 to 75.3 years for males, and from 80.2 years to 80.4 years for females.

National Vital Statistics Reports
Volume 58, Number 1 August 19, 2009
Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2007
by Jiaquan Xu, M.D.; Kenneth D. Kochanek, M.A.; and Betzaida Tejada-Vera, B.S.
Division of Vital Statistics

Abstract
Objectives—This report presents preliminary U.S. data on deaths, death rates, life expectancy, leading causes of death, and infant mortality for 2007 by selected characteristics such as age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
Methods—Data in this report are based on death records comprising approximately 91 percent of the demographic file and 87 percent of the medical file for all deaths in the United States in 2007. The records are weighted to independent control counts for 2007. For certain causes of death such as unintentional injuries, homicides, suicides, drug-induced deaths, and sudden infant death syndrome, preliminary and final data may differ because of the truncated nature of the preliminary file. Comparisons are made with 2006 final data.
Results—The age-adjusted death rate for the United States decreased from 776.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2006 to 760.3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2007. Age-adjusted death rates in 2007 decreased significantly from 2006 for 8 of the 15 leading causes of death: Diseases of heart, Malignant neoplasms, Cerebrovascular diseases, Accidents (unintentional injuries), Diabetes mellitus, Influenza and pneumonia, Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease, and Assault (homicide). The rate for Chronic lower respiratory diseases increased in 2007 from 2006. Age-adjusted death rates for Alzheimer’s disease, Septicemia, Intentional self-harm (suicide), Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis did not change significantly in 2007 from 2006. Life expectancy at birth rose by 0.2 years to 77.9 years.
Keywords: mortality rates c life expectancy c vital statistics c preliminary

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