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That is so not what your link says. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate

by msg 18y ago

That is so not what your link says. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate The leaders are heart disease, infection, and cancer (from this 2002 table, sourced to WHO).

Alex3917 18y ago
That chart is worldwide, not US. And iatrogenic deaths wouldn't be in the chart anyway because there are ten or fifteen different types, most of which would fall under another category.
- msg 18y ago
  Fine, here's the US data for 2005 from the CDC. I don't think you can ascribe deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's to doctor error. Most come from lifestyle choices. Cigarettes, junk food, and no exercise make Homer something something (DIE EARLY). You might strengthen your argument for me if you talk about proximate vs underlying causes of death. We're all going to die. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/lcod.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/lcod.htm Quote: (Data are for U.S. for year indicated) Number of deaths for leading causes of death Heart disease: 652,091 Cancer: 559,312 Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579 Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933 Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809 Diabetes: 75,119 Alzheimer's disease: 71,599 Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901 Septicemia: 34,136 Source: Deaths: Final Data for 2005, Table C
  - Alex3917 18y ago
    I understand that iatrogenic deaths aren't in the table. And I do think the 800,000 figure the site I linked to may be too high. But almost certainly medical errors are the number three cause of death. Think about it this way. If your chance of getting MRSA during surgery drops from 4% to 0% if your doctor uses a simple 6-item checklist, imagine all the other ways that doctors are hurting people. Plus, heart attacks are usually the cause of death when your doctor prescribes either the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage, or prescribes the right medicine but gives it to the wrong person.

by msg 18y ago

Alex3917 18y ago

That chart is worldwide, not US. And iatrogenic deaths wouldn't be in the chart anyway because there are ten or fifteen different types, most of which would fall under another category.

msg 18y ago
Fine, here's the US data for 2005 from the CDC. I don't think you can ascribe deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's to doctor error. Most come from lifestyle choices. Cigarettes, junk food, and no exercise make Homer something something (DIE EARLY). You might strengthen your argument for me if you talk about proximate vs underlying causes of death. We're all going to die. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/lcod.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/lcod.htm Quote: (Data are for U.S. for year indicated) Number of deaths for leading causes of death Heart disease: 652,091 Cancer: 559,312 Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579 Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933 Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809 Diabetes: 75,119 Alzheimer's disease: 71,599 Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901 Septicemia: 34,136 Source: Deaths: Final Data for 2005, Table C
- Alex3917 18y ago
  I understand that iatrogenic deaths aren't in the table. And I do think the 800,000 figure the site I linked to may be too high. But almost certainly medical errors are the number three cause of death. Think about it this way. If your chance of getting MRSA during surgery drops from 4% to 0% if your doctor uses a simple 6-item checklist, imagine all the other ways that doctors are hurting people. Plus, heart attacks are usually the cause of death when your doctor prescribes either the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage, or prescribes the right medicine but gives it to the wrong person.