U.S. Leading Causes Of Deaths Drop

New findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reveal that the U.S. death rate for all causes is continuing to decline.

The death rate for all causes declined by 43 percent--from 1,279 people for every 100,000--between 1969 and 2013, according to Reuters. Yet deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased from the period of 1969 to 2013.

During the study, researchers examined national vital statistics to determine the total and annual percent change in age-standardized death rates before 75, as well as years of life lost.

"The leading causes of death examined in this study - except unintentional injuries - all are chronic conditions," said lead study author Jiemin Ma, director of the surveillance and health services research program at the American Cancer Society, via email to the news organization. "Tobacco control, high blood pressure prevention and management, early detection and screening, and improvements in treating heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer have substantially contributed to reductions in death rates."

Now, in order to further reduce risk, researchers are working on prevention methods--which involve leading a healthy lifestyle through a healthy diet to a regular fitness routine. Eliminating unhealthy habits--such as smoking and excess drinking--can also narrow risk.

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