Silver Book Fact
In 2006, Alzheimer’s disease became the 6th leading cause of death, compared to its ranking of 7th in 2005. Diabetes, ranked 6th in 2005, became the 7th leading cause in 2006.
In 2006, the 15 leading causes of death were as follows:
1. Diseases of heart
2. Malignant neoplasms
3. Cerebrovascular diseases
4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes mellitus
8. Influenza and pneumonia
9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
10. Septicemia
11. Intentional self-harm (suicide)
12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
13. Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease
14. Parkinson’s disease
15. Assault (homicide)
Heron M, Hoyert D, Xu J, Scott C, et al. Deaths: Preliminary data for 2006. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Center for Health Statistics; June 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/08newsreleases/mortality2006.htm
