260,000 U.S. Deaths Could Have Been Prevented, Says CDC

Up to 40 percent of annual premature deaths in the United States are "preventable," according to a recent overarching study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The findings of this study were detailed in CDC's weekly journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, and suggest that nearly 260,000 lives could be saved a year if the proper preventative measures are taken by patients and physicians alike.

According to the report, CDC investigators analyzed premature deaths -- defined as deaths before the age of 80 -- between 2008 and 2010. From those numbers, the analysts were able to determine that 20 to 40 percent of deaths from the five most prevalent causes of premature death could have been prevented.

According to the report, if the proper recommended measures had been taken, 34 percent of deaths from heart disease, 21 percent of deaths from cancer, 39 percent of deaths from lower respiratory disease, 33 percent of deaths from stroke, and 39 percent of deaths from unit intentional injury -- such as a multivehicle accident -- could have been prevented.

Largely, the ways in which these deaths were preventable are what you would expect. Poor diets and unhealthy weights are difficult to change, but citizens across the U.S. work towards healthier lifestyle choices for the sake of their heart on a daily basis. Tobacco use too, was a driving factor behind four of the five preventable premature deaths. Sun exposure and other ultraviolet light exposure (from tanning beds, nail salons, ect.) was also seen a driving factor behind many of the preventable cancer deaths in the country. Lastly, simply not wearing a seatbelt or helmet was the primary preventable cause behind the majority of unintentional and fatal injuries in the U.S.

Each of these statistics were also broken down state by state. The authors of the report suggest in their work that lawmakers in states with a high number of preventable deaths look to states with similar population but better numbers and consider what actions they may have taken.

"Although each state has a unique set of factors that determine health outcomes, states might find neighboring states or states within their region as good sources of information on effective policies, programs, and services," the authors explain.

The report was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on May 2.