How do mortality rates in the U.S. compare to other countries?

Overall age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 population Mortality rates have fallen steadily in the U.S. and in comparable OECD countries Overall age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average The mortality rate (number of deaths per 100,000 people, adjusted for age differences across countries) has been falling in the U.S. and in comparable OECD countries (those with total GDP and GDP per capita above OECD median levels). In the next slides we compare the mortality rates and trends for leading causes of death in the US and comparable OECD countries. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

For most of the leading causes of death, mortality rates are higher in the U.S. than in comparable countries Age-adjusted major causes of mortality per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 Among the major causes of death, the U.S. has lower than average mortality rates for cancers and higher than average rates in the other categories relative to comparable OECD countries. These categories accounted for more than 85 percent of all deaths in the U.S. in 2010. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for diseases of the circulatory system Age-adjusted diseases of the circulatory system mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. mortality rate for diseases of the circulatory system, which includes heart diseases and stroke, is above the OECD comparable country average. For ischaemic heart disease (e.g., heart attacks), which accounts for about half of the deaths in this category, the U.S. has the highest mortality rate (126 age-adjusted deaths per 100,000 population) of the comparable OECD countries. For cerebrovascular disease (e.g., stroke), the U.S. has a comparably low mortality rate (43 age-adjusted deaths per 100,000 population). Note: Switzerland does not provide data for acute myocardial infarction Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Mortality rates for diseases of the circulatory system have fallen dramatically over the last 30 years Age-adjusted diseases of the circulatory system mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average The U.S. and other countries have made dramatic progress in lowering mortality from diseases of the circulatory system. In the U.S., the mortality rate has fallen from 629 deaths per 100,000 population in 1980 to 261 in 2010. Note: Switzerland does not provide data for acute myocardial infarction Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

Compared to similar countries, the U. S Compared to similar countries, the U.S. has a relatively low mortality rate for cancers Age-adjusted neoplasm mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. morality rate for cancers (i.e., neoplasms) is among the lowest for the comparable OECD countries. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Age-adjusted neoplasms mortality rate per 100,000 population The mortality rate for cancers has been falling in the U.S. and across comparable countries Age-adjusted neoplasms mortality rate per 100,000 population Comparable country average United States The mortality rate for all cancers (neoplasms) has fallen in the U.S. and in comparable OECD countries over the last 30 years. In the U.S., the age-adjusted cancer rate has fallen from about 242 deaths per 100,000 population in 1980 to about 199 per 100,000 in 2010. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for respiratory diseases Age-adjusted respiratory diseases mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. morality rate for respiratory diseases is above the comparable OECD country average. This category includes deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and pneumonia. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

The mortality rate for respiratory diseases is higher in the U. S The mortality rate for respiratory diseases is higher in the U.S. than in comparably wealthy countries Age-adjusted respiratory diseases mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average Mortality rates for respiratory diseases have fallen over the last 10 years in the U.S. and across comparable OECD countries. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

The mortality rate for diseases of the nervous system is higher in the U.S. than in comparably wealthy countries Age-adjusted nervous system mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for diseases of the nervous system. This category includes deaths from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Age-adjusted nervous system mortality rate per 100,000 population The mortality rate for diseases of the nervous system is higher in the U.S. than in comparably wealthy countries Age-adjusted nervous system mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average In recent years, mortality rates for diseases of the nervous system have been consistently higher in the U.S. than in comparable OECD countries. In the U.S., the age-adjusted mortality rate for Alzheimer’s disease has increased from 22 deaths per 100,000 population in 2000 to 28 in 2010. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 2001 in the United Kingdom. Break in series coincides with changes in ICD coding.

The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases Age-adjusted endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. has the highest mortality rate among comparable OECD countries for endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases. This category includes deaths from diabetes (about 70 percent of total). Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Mortality rates for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases have fallen over the last 15 years Age-adjusted endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average After rising significantly between 1985 and 1995, mortality rates for these disease have fallen steadily, although the remain substantially higher than the average rate in comparable OECD countries. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for mental and behavioral disorders Age-adjusted mental and behavioral disorders mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. mortality rate from mental and behavioral disorders is higher than the OECD comparable county average. Deaths from dementia make up about 90 percent of the deaths in this category in 2010. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

The mortality rate for mental and behavioral disorders has been increasing in the U.S. Age-adjusted mental and behavioral disorders mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average In the U.S., the increase in mortality from behavioral disorders has been driven by higher mortality attributed to dementia. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 2001 in the United Kingdom. Break in series coincides with changes in ICD coding.

The U.S. has a relatively high mortality rate for accidents, suicides and other external causes Age-adjusted external causes mortality rate per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 The U.S. morality rate for external causes (which includes, accidents, intentional self-harm, poisonings and assaults) is the highest among comparable OECD countries. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Age-adjusted external causes mortality rate per 100,000 population The mortality rate for external causes is higher in the U.S. than in comparably wealthy countries Age-adjusted external causes mortality rate per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average The average mortality rate among comparable OECD countries for accidents and other external has fallen much more over the last 30 years than U.S. rates, which have leveled off after some decline in the 1980s. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

Potential Years of Life Lost for major causes of mortality in the U. S Potential Years of Life Lost for major causes of mortality in the U.S. relative to comparable countries Age-specific potential years of life lost per 100,000 population, in years, 2010 Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) is an alternative to mortality rates that focuses on premature deaths. It is measured by adding together the total number of years that people who died before an specified age (e.g. 70) would have lived if they had lived to that age. For example, a person who dies at age 45 would have a PYLL of 25. As a measure, it provides more weights to deaths at younger ages. The PLYY in the U.S. for cancer is far lower than the OECD comparable county average, while the U.S. exceeds the OECD comparable county averages for other leading causes of death. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014).

Potential Years of Life Lost have fallen steadily in the U. S Potential Years of Life Lost have fallen steadily in the U.S. and in comparable OECD countries Overall age-specific potential years of life lost per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average The U.S. and comparable OECD countries have made progress in reducing PYLL’s over the last thirty years, although the U.S. continues to trail the OECD comparable country average by a significant margin (4,629 v. 2,982 PYLLs per 100,000 population in 2010). Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1987 and 1997 for Switzerland; in 1995 for Switzerland; in 1996 for Netherlands; in 1998 for Australia, Belgium, and Germany; in 1999 for United States; in 2000 for Canada and France; and in 2001 in the United Kingdom. All breaks in series coincide with changes in ICD coding.

Mortality rates for deaths amenable to health care have fallen in the U.S. and in comparable OECD countries Amenable mortality per 100,000 population United States Comparable country average Mortality rates for medical conditions amendable to health care fell significantly in the U.S. (by 40%) over the 25 years from 1981 to 2006, although U.S. rates remain higher than the OECD comparable country average. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2014 WHO data: “WHO Mortality Database: Age-standardized death rate data”, WHO Mortality Database. (Accessed on July 14, 2014). Notes: Causes of death amenable to health care are based on data available on the WHO website for the list of indicators used in the article by Ellen Nolte and C. Martin McKee, “Measuring the health of Nations: Updating an Earlier Analysis,” Health Affairs 27, no. 1 (2008): 58-71. Age-standardization is based on the WHO methodology and not the same method used by Nolte and McKee.

The U.S. has the highest rate of deaths amenable to health care among comparable OECD countries Amenable mortality per 100,000 population, in years, 2002 - 2003 and 2006 - 2007 Researchers have looked at mortality that results from medical conditions for which there are recognized health care interventions that would be expected to prevent death. While the health care system might not be expected to prevent death in all of these instances, differences in mortality for these conditions provides information about how effectively health care is being delivered. In 2006, the last year for which reasonably complete information is available, the U.S. had the highest mortality rate for deaths amenable to health care among the comparable OECD countries. [Cite HA articles and Sheila’s book] Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of data from: Nolte E, McKee C. Martin. Health Affairs “Measuring the Health of Nations: Updating an Earlier Analysis” Available at: http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/27/1/58.long

Overall age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 population The decline in U.S. mortality rates largely reflects improvement for circulatory diseases Overall age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 population Lower mortality rates for circulatory diseases (heart disease and strokes) are driving the decline in U.S. rates over the last 30 years. Mortality rates for cancers have also fallen, while rates for mental and behavioral disorders (primarily dementia) and diseases of the nervous system (including Alzheimer's disease) have risen. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health status: Health status indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on November 6, 2014). Notes: Break in series in 1999 for United States. Break in series coincides with changes in ICD coding.