Table 1.
ADJUSTED MORTA LITY RATE S PER 100,000 FOR LEADING CAUSE OF DEAT H CON DITION S ACHIEVING A 50% REDUCTION IN MORTA LITY FROM PEAK MORTA LITY LEVEL BET WEEN 1950 AND 2000a
| Year 1950 Rate | Highest Rate (Peak Year) | Lowest Rate (Trough Year) | Year 2000 Rate | Decline from Peak Year, % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke | 180.7 | 180.7 (1950) | 60.9 (2000) | 60.9 | 66.3 |
| Heart disease | 586.8 | 586.8 (1950) | 257.6 (2000) | 257.6 | 56.1 |
| Uterine and cervical cancer | 26.2 | 26.2 (1950) | 7.2 (2000) | 7.2 | 72.5 |
| Gastric cancer | 24.2 | 24.2 (1950) | 4.6 (2000) | 4.6 | 81.0 |
| HIV | — | 16.3 (1995) | 5.2 (2000) | 5.2 | 67.9 |
| Tuberculosis | 25.5 | 25.5 (1950) | 0.2 (2000) | 0.2 | 91.4 |
| Syphilis | 6.1 | 6.1 (1950) | 0.0 (2000) | 0.0 | 100 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 48.1 | 48.1 (1950) | 23.7 (2000) | 23.7 | 50.7 |
| Unintentional injuries | 78.0 | 78.0 (1950) | 34.9 (2000) | 34.9 | 55.3 |
a
Mortality reductions for seven of these nine conditions required an innovation plus public health plus medical care, especially primary care. Only gastric cancer and unintentional injuries were found to be primarily attributable to public health interventions (sanitation, refrigeration, food safety, and auto and highway safety).