Division of Population Health

27.6%
The Burden of Chronic Disease for Older Adults
Leading Causes of Death
During the twentieth century, effective public health strategies
and advances in medical treatment contributed to a dramatic
increase in average life expectancy in the United States. The
30-year gain in life expectancy within the span of a century had
never before been achieved. Many of the diseases that claimed
our ancestors—including tuberculosis, diarrhea and enteritis,
and syphilis—are no longer the threats they once were.
Although they may still present significant health challenges
in the United States, these diseases are no longer the leading
killers of American adults.
However, other diseases have continued to be leading causes of
death every year since 1900. By 1910, heart disease became the
leading cause of death every year except 1918–1920, when the
influenza epidemic took its disastrous toll. Since 1938, cancer
has held the second position every year. 6
Heart disease and cancer pose their greatest risks as people age, as do other chronic diseases and
conditions, such as stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes
(Figure 2). Influenza and pneumonia also continue to contribute to deaths among older adults,
despite the availability of effective vaccines.
Figure 2. Chronic conditions were the leading causes of death among U.S. adults aged 65 or older
in 2007–2009
30%
27.7%
28.2%
27.6%
Population Aged 65 or Older
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
22.1%
21.9%
23.1%
21.6%
6.5%
7.0%
All races/ethinicities Black, non-Hispanic
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic
3.7%
4.2%
6.4%
6.3%
7.0%
6.6%
4.4%
4.6%
3.1%
2.9%
2.8%
2.5%
4.7%
5.6%
2.6%
2.6%
2.3%
3.0%
0%
Heart Disease Cancer Chronic Lower
Respiratory Diseases
Stroke
Alzheimer's
Disease
Diabetes
Influenza &
Pneumonia
Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, 2007−2009.
The State of Aging and Health in America 2013 PAGE 3