Friday, October 3, 2014

What are the top 10 leading causes of death in the USA?

Of all the causes of death in the US, the leading top 10 causes account for nearly 75% of all deaths and the top 3 causes account for over 50% of all deaths in the country, with the main culprits remaining relatively consistent for at least the last five years.
The most recent data reveals that annually there are around 2,515,458 deaths registered in the US, which equates to:1,2,41
  • 1,254,978 males
  • 1,260,480 females
  • An age-adjusted death rate, which accounts for the aging population, of 741.3 deaths per 100,000 US standard population
  • A life expectancy at birth of around 78.7 years.
Contents of this article:
  • Top 10 leading causes of death
  • Top 10 leading causes of death in more detail
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Chronic lower respiratory disease
  • Stroke
  • Accidents
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Diabetes
  • Influenza and pneumonia
  • Kidney disease
  • Suicide

op 10 leading causes of death

The top 10 leading causes of death in the US are below together with the most recent statistics and facts:
causes of death
Annually there are around 2,515,458 deaths registered in the US with the leading top 10 causes accounting for nearly 75% of all deaths.
  1. Heart disease
  2. Cancer (malignant neoplasms)
  3. Chronic lower respiratory disease
  4. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)
  5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)
  6. Alzheimer's disease
  7. Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
  8. Influenza and pneumonia
  9. Kidney disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis)
  10. Suicide (intentional self-harm).

Top 10 leading causes of death in more detail

Death rates below are calculated on an annual basis per 100,000 of estimated population. Age-adjusted rates are used to compare relative mortality risks among groups and over time.

1: Heart disease

  • Deaths: 596,577
  • Males: 308,398
  • Females: 288,179
  • Rate: 191.5
  • Age-adjusted rate: 173.7
  • Percentage of total deaths: 23.71%.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US and also the leading cause of death worldwide. More than half of the deaths that occur as a result of heart disease are in men.
red heart with stethoscope
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US with around 596,577 deaths each year.
Coronary heart disease costs the US $108.9 billion each year and is the most common type of heart disease.3
Heart disease is a term used to describe several problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries.
As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow and creating a risk for heart attack or stroke.4
The key to preventing death from heart disease is to protect the heart and know the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

Major warning signs and symptoms of heart attack

Some of the following signs and symptoms can materialize before a heart attack:
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Pain or discomfort in the upper body, arms, neck, jaw or upper stomach
  • Breathlessness
  • Nausea
  • Lightheadedness
  • Cold sweats.

Protecting the heart

Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol can significantly lower heart disease risk.
  • Follow instructions on medication usage
  • Make sure diet is low in salt, fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fresh fruits and vegetables
  • It is recommended that exercise in the form of a brisk 10 minute walk takes place 3 times a day, 5 days a week
  • Avoid excessive alcohol use
  • Quit smoking.

2: Cancer (malignant neoplasms)

  • Deaths: 576,691
  • Males: 302,231
  • Females: 274,460
  • Rate: 185.1
  • Age-adjusted rate: 169.0
  • Percentage of total deaths: 22.92%.
Cancer affects men and woman of all ages, races and ethnicities.5 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate the total costs of cancer in 2009 were $216.6 billion: $86.6 billion for direct medical costs and $130.0 billion for indirect mortality costs.
cancer cell
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US with around 576,691 deaths each year.
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death.
Anyone can develop cancer. Risk increases with age although some individuals within the population have higher or lower risk due to differences in exposure (e.g., smoking) or genetic susceptibility.6
In 2014, about 585,720 American are expected to die of cancer - almost 1,600 people per day.
Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women. Deaths from cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung stand at 157,017 annually with this figure expected to rise to 159,260 in 2014.

Estimated cancer-related deaths for 2014

Leading causes of death from cancer for males:
  1. Lung and bronchus - 86,930 (28%)
  2. Prostate - 29,480 (10%)
  3. Colon and rectum - 26,270 (8%)
  4. Pancreas - 20,170 (7%)
  5. Liver and intrahepatic bile duct - 15,870 (5%)
  6. Leukemia - 14,040 (5%)
  7. Esophagus - 12,450 (4%)
  8. Urinary bladder - 11,170 (4%)
  9. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - 10,470 (3%)
  10. Kidney and renal pelvis - 8,900 (3%).
Leading causes of death from cancer for females:
  1. Lung and bronchus - 72,330 (26%)
  2. Breast - 40,000 (15%)
  3. Colon and rectum - 24,040 (9%)
  4. Pancreas - 19,420 (7%)
  5. Ovary - 14,270 (5%)
  6. Leukemia - 10,050 (4%)
  7. Uterine corpus - 8,590 (3%)
  8. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - 8,520 (3%)
  9. Liver and intrahepatic bile duct - 7,130 (3%)
  10. Brain and other nervous system - 6,230 (2%).

Can cancer be prevented?

A substantial proportion of cancers could be prevented. All cancers caused by cigarette smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented completely. In 2014, almost 176,000 of the estimated 585,720 deaths will be caused by tobacco use.
The World Cancer Research Fund has estimated that up to one-third of cancer cases that occur in economically developed countries like the US are related to being overweight, obese, inactive or having poor nutrition. These are all potentially preventable.
Particular cancers are related to infectious agents such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) - these may be prevented through behavioral changes and use of protective vaccinations or antibiotic treatments.
Many of the more than 3 million skin cancer cases that are diagnosed annually could be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning.
Screening offers the ability for secondary prevention by detecting cancer early, before symptoms appear. Early detection usually results in less extensive treatment and better outcomes.
Screening for colorectal and cervical cancers can prevent cancer by allowing for detection and removal of pre-cancerous lesions.
Awareness about changes in the body to breasts, skin or testicles may result in detection of tumors at an earlier stage.

3: Chronic lower respiratory disease

  • Deaths: 142,943
  • Males: 67,521
  • Females: 75,422
  • Rate: 45.9
  • Age-adjusted rate: 42.5
  • Percentage of total deaths: 5.68%.
Chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) is a collection of lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues, including primarily chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but also bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.7
lung disease x-ray
CLRD is the third leading cause of death in the US with around 142,943 deaths each year.
A study released by The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) estimated that 16.4 million days of work were lost annually because of COPD, and total absenteeism costs were $3.9 billion. 
Of the medical costs, 18% was paid for by private insurance, 51% by Medicare, and 25% by Medicaid. National medical costs are projected to increase from $32.1 billion in 2010 to $49.0 billion in 2020.8,9

Major warning signs and symptoms of COPD

Signs and symptoms of COPD may include:
  • Increased breathlessness when active
  • A persistent cough with phlegm
  • Frequent chest infections.

How can COPD be prevented?

In the US, tobacco smoke is a key factor in the development and progression of COPD, although exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections also play a role.7
Smoking is a primary risk factor of COPD, and approximately 80% of COPD deaths can be attributed to smoking.10
To prevent COPD:11
  • Quit smoking
  • Avoid secondhand smoke
  • Avoid air pollution
  • Avoid chemical fumes
  • Avoid dust.

4: Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)

  • Deaths: 128,932
  • Males: 52,335
  • Females: 76,597
  • Rate: 41.4
  • Age-adjusted rate: 37.9
  • Percentage of total deaths: 5.12%.
Cerebrovascular diseases are conditions that develop as a result of problems with the blood vessels that supply the brain. Four of the most common types of cerebrovascular disease are:
x-ray of person after stroke
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the US with around 128,932 deaths each year.
  • Stroke
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Vascular dementia.
Every year more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke; risk of having a stroke varies with race, ethnicity, age and geography. Risk of stroke increases with age, yet in 2009 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were younger than 65 years.12
The highest death rates from stroke in the US occur in the southeast.

Major warning signs and symptoms of stroke

During a stroke, every second counts. Fast treatment can reduce the brain damage that stroke can cause.
Signs and symptoms of stroke include sudden:13
  • Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of the above symptoms are experienced.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following simple test:
  • F - Face: ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  • A - Arms: ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S - Speech: ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
  • T - Time: if you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Note the time when any symptoms first appear. Some treatments for stroke only work if given within the first 3 hours after symptoms appear.
Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

How can stroke be prevented?

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are major risk factors for stroke. About half of Americans (49%) have at least one of these three risk factors. Several other medical conditions and unhealthy lifestyle choices can increase your risk for stroke.
Although you cannot control all of your risk factors for stroke, you can take steps to prevent stroke and its complications.12
Stroke prevention measures may include:14,15
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Getting enough exercise
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting alcohol use
  • Checking cholesterol
  • Controlling blood pressure
  • Managing diabetes
  • Managing heart disease
  • Taking medicine correctly
  • Talking with a health care team.

5: Accidents (unintentional injuries)

  • Deaths: 126,438
  • Males: 79,257
  • Females: 47,181
  • Rate: 40.6
  • Age-adjusted rate: 39.1
  • Percentage of total deaths: 5.02%.
Accidents, also referred to as unintentional injuries, are at present the 5th leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of death for those between the ages 1 to 44. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that highway crashes alone have an annual price tag of around $871 billion in economic loss and social harm, with speeding accounting for $210 billion of that figure.
crashed wooden toy train
Accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in the US with around 126,438 deaths each year.
Data for accidents include the following:
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Other land transport accidents
  • Water, air and space accidents
  • Accidental discharge of firearms
  • Accidental drowning and submersion
  • Falls
  • Accidental exposure to smoke, fire and flames
  • Accidental poisoning and exposure to noxious substances.

Possible prevention measures

Accidents cause loss and suffering to the victims and their loved ones. Methods of safety and prevention can help toward avoiding some forms of unintentional death.
Seat belts have saved an estimated 255,000 lives between 1975 and 2008.
In 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths in the US.1 In 2010, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.3 That is 1% of the 112 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among US adults each year.4
Information on saving lives and protecting people from violence and injuries can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.16-24

6: Alzheimer's disease

  • Deaths: 84,974
  • Males: 25,677
  • Females: 59,297
  • Rate: 27.3
  • Age-adjusted rate: 24.7
  • Percentage of total deaths: 3.37%.
Dementia is an overall term for diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory or other thinking skills that affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities. 
Dementia is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain which are called neurons. As a result of the damage, neurons can no longer function normally and may die. This, in turn, can lead to changes in memory, behavior and the ability to think clearly.25
alzheimer's word cloud
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the US with around 84,974 deaths each year.
For people with Alzheimer's disease, the damage and death of neurons eventually impair the ability to carry out basic bodily functions such as walking and swallowing.
People in the final stages of the disease are bed-bound and require around-the-clock care. Alzheimer's is ultimately fatal. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.
An estimated 5.2 million Americans may have Alzheimer's disease in 2014, including approximately 200,000 individuals younger than age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's.
Almost two-thirds of American seniors living with Alzheimer's are women. Of the 5 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's in the US, 3.2 million are women, and 1.8 million are men.
In 2013, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias - care valued at $220.2 billion, which is nearly eight times the total revenue of McDonald's in 2012.
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most expensive conditions in the nation. In 2014, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's will total an estimated $214 billion, including $150 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Despite these staggering figures, Alzheimer's will cost an estimated $1.2 trillion (in today's dollars) in 2050.
A woman's estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's at age 65 is 1 in 6, compared with nearly 1 in 11 for a man. As real a concern as breast cancer is to women's health, women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

Warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

The following are common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's:
  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or in leisure
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood and personality, including apathy and depression.

Can Alzheimer's be prevented?

As the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown, there is no way to prevent the condition. However, there are some steps you can take that may help to delay the onset of dementia.26

Reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart or blood vessels) has been connected with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Risk of developing cardiovascular disease, as well as stroke and heart attacks, may be reduced by improving cardiovascular health using steps such as:
  • Stopping smoking
  • Avoiding large quantities of alcohol
  • Eating a healthy balanced diet
  • Exercising for at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) every week by doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking), which improve both your physical and mental health
  • Check blood pressure through regular health tests
  • If you have diabetes, make sure you keep to the diet and take your medicine.

Staying mentally active

Evidence suggests rates of dementia are lower in mentally, physically and socially active people. It may be possible to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia by:
  • Reading
  • Writing for pleasure
  • Learning foreign languages
  • Playing musical instruments
  • Taking part in adult education courses
  • Playing tennis
  • Playing golf
  • Swimming
  • Group sports, such as bowling
  • Walking.

Future research

Other methods to treat or prevent Alzheimer's may be revealed as research into the condition continues. At present, there is no evidence to support using the following to prevent dementia:
  • Statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines)
  • Hormone replacement therapy (when powerful chemicals are taken to replace those that your body no longer produces)
  • Vitamin E (found in a variety of foods, such as olive oil, nuts and seeds)
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

7: Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)

  • Deaths: 73,831
  • Males: 38,324
  • Females: 35,507
  • Rate: 23.7
  • Age-adjusted rate: 21.6
  • Percentage of total deaths: 2.93%.
Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. 
The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When a person has diabetes, the body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in the blood.
human body with pancreas showing diabetes
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US with around 73,831 deaths each year.
Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.
Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
The estimated costs of diabetes in the US in 2012 was $245 billion. Direct medical costs accounted for $176 billion of that total and indirect costs such as disability, work loss and premature death accounted for $69 billion.30

Warning signs and symptoms of diabetes

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They may have some or none of the following symptoms:27
  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  • Feeling very tired much of the time
  • Very dry skin
  • Sores that are slow to heal
  • More infections than usual.
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.

Can diabetes be prevented?

Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop type 1 diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.
A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity.
There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Several clinical trials for preventing type 1 diabetes are currently in progress with additional studies being planned.29
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a large prevention study of people at high risk for diabetes, showed that lifestyle intervention that resulted in weight loss and increased physical activity in this population can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and in some cases return blood glucose levels to within the normal range. Other international studies have shown similar results.30,31

8: Influenza and pneumonia

  • Deaths: 53,826
  • Males: 25,401
  • Females: 28,425
  • Rate: 17.3
  • Age-adjusted rate: 15.7
  • Percentage of total deaths: 2.13%.
Influenza accounts for 1,532 deaths annually and pneumonia 52,294.
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season. The reason influenza is more prevalent in the winter is not known; however, data suggest the virus survives and is transmitted better in cold temperatures. Influenza is spread easily from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes.32
streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
Influenza and pneumonia are the eighth leading cause of death in the US with around 53,826 deaths each year.
A person can have the flu more than once because the virus that causes the disease may belong to different strains of one of three different influenza virus families: A, B or C. 
Type A viruses tend to have a greater effect on adults, while type B viruses are a greater problem in children.
Influenza can be complicated by pneumonia, which is a serious infection or inflammation of the lungs. The air sacs fill with pus and other liquid, blocking oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. If there is too little oxygen in the blood, the body's cells cannot work properly, which can lead to death.
Pneumonia can have over 30 different causes, including various chemicals, bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas and other infectious agents such as pneumocystis (fungi).
Together, pneumonia and influenza cost the US economy more than $40.2 billion in 2005. This figure includes more than $6 billion due to indirect costs (such as time lost from work) and $34.2 billion due to direct costs (such as medical expenses).33

Warning signs and symptoms of influenza and pneumonia

Signs and symptoms of influenza include:32
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Muscle aches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Malaise.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:32
  • Fever
  • Wheezing
  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Rapid breathing
  • Chest pains
  • Loss of appetite
  • Malaise
  • Feeling of weakness or ill health.

Can influenza and pneumonia be prevented?

Methods of preventing influenza and pneumonia include:34
  • Flu shot every year to prevent seasonal influenza
  • Vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia if you are at high risk of getting this type of pneumonia
  • Wash hands frequently, especially after blowing nose, going to the bathroom, diapering, and before eating or preparing foods
  • Do not smoke. Tobacco damages the lungs' ability to fight off infection, and smokers have been found to be at a higher risk of getting pneumonia.
  • Since pneumonia often follows respiratory infections, be aware of any symptoms that linger for more than a few days
  • Good health habits - a healthy diet, rest, regular exercise, etc. - help prevent viruses and respiratory illnesses
  • Hib vaccine prevents pneumonia in children from Haemophilus influenzae type B
  • A drug called Synagis (palivizumab) can be given to some children younger than 24 months to prevent pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus
  • With cancer or HIV patients, a doctor should be consulted about additional ways to prevent pneumonia and other infections.

9: Kidney disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis)

  • Deaths: 45,591
  • Males: 22,649
  • Females: 22,942
  • Rate: 14.6
  • Age-adjusted rate: 13.4
  • Percentage of total deaths: 1.81%.
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis are all conditions, disorders or diseases of the kidneys.
cross section of kidneys
Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the US with around 45,591 deaths each year.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as healthy kidneys. 
Because of this, waste from the blood remains in the body and may cause other health problems.35
It is estimated that more than 10% of adults in the US - more than 20 million people - may have CKD, of varying levels of seriousness. The chances of having CKD increase with age; it increases after 50 years of age and is most common among adults older than 70 years.
Chronic kidney disease is widespread and costly, costing Medicare upward of $41 billion annually.
Awareness and understanding about kidney disease is critically low, with an estimated 26 million Americans having chronic kidney disease. Among those with severe (stage 4) kidney disease, fewer than half realize that they have damaged kidneys.36

Warning signs and symptoms of kidney disease

The early symptoms of chronic kidney disease are the same as for many other illnesses. These symptoms may be the only sign of a problem in the early stages.37
Symptoms may include:
  • Appetite loss
  • General ill feeling and fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Itching (pruritus) and dry skin
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss without trying to lose weight.
Symptoms that may occur when kidney function has become severe include:
  • Abnormally dark or light skin
  • Bone pain
  • Drowsiness or problems concentrating or thinking
  • Numbness or swelling in the hands and feet
  • Muscle twitching or cramps
  • Breath odor
  • Easy bruising, or blood in the stool
  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent hiccups
  • Problems with sexual function
  • Menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sleep problems
  • Vomiting, often in the morning.

Can kidney disease be prevented?

To reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease:38
  • Drink alcohol in moderation
  • Follow instructions on over-the-counter medications, especially when using nonprescription pain relievers
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage your medical conditions with your doctor's help.

10: Suicide (intentional self-harm)

  • Deaths: 39,518
  • Males: 31,003
  • Females: 8,515
  • Rate: 12.7
  • Age-adjusted rate: 12.3
  • Percentage of total deaths: 1.57%.
According to the CDC, suicide results in an estimated $34.6 billion loss in combined medical and work costs.39
Among adults aged >18 years in the US during 2008-2009:
stop suicide
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US with around 39,518 deaths each year.
  • An estimated 8.3 million adults (3.7% of the adult US population) reported having suicidal thoughts in the past year
  • An estimated 2.2 million adults (1.0% of the adult US population) reported having made suicide plans in the past year
  • An estimated 1 million adults (0.5% of the US adult population) reported making a suicide attempt in the past year
  • There is one suicide for every 25 attempted suicides
  • Among young adults ages 15 to 24 years old, there are approximately 100-200 attempts for every completed suicide
  • In 2011, 487,700 people were treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries
  • Nonfatal, self-inflicted injuries result in an estimated $6.5 billion loss in combined medical and work costs.

How can suicide be prevented?

Risk factors vary with age, gender or ethnic group. Some important risk factors are:40
  • Depression and other mental disorders
  • Substance abuse
  • Prior suicide attempt
  • Family history of suicide
  • Family violence including physical or sexual abuse
  • Firearms in the home
  • Incarceration
  • Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members or peers.
However, it is important to note that many people who have these risk factors are not suicidal.
The following are some of the signs you might notice in yourself or a friend that may be a reason for concern.
  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill yourself
  • Looking for a way to kill yourself, such as searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Displaying extreme mood swings.
References:

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