The World Health Organization has traditionally classified death according to the primary type of disease or injury. However, causes of death may also be classified in terms of preventable risk factors—such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and sexual behavior—which contribute to a number of different diseases. Such risk factors are usually not recorded directly on death certificates.[1]
Contents |
Leading causes of preventable death worldwide as of the year 2001.[2]
| Cause | Number of deaths resulting (millions per year) |
|---|---|
| Hypertension | 7.8 |
| Smoking tobacco | 5.0 |
| High cholesterol | 3.9 |
| Malnutrition | 3.8 |
| Sexually transmitted diseases | 3.0 |
| Poor diet | 2.8 |
| Overweight and obesity | 2.5 |
| Physical inactivity | 2.0 |
| Alcohol | 1.9 |
| Indoor air pollution from solid fuels | 1.8 |
| Unsafe water and poor sanitation | 1.6 |
| Cause | Number | Percent of total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking tobacco | 435,000[3] | 18.1% | |
| Being overweight and obesity | 111,909[5] | 4.6% | There was considerable debate about the differences in the numbers of obesity-related diseases. The numbers reported in the referenced article have been found to be the most accurate.[6] |
| Alcohol | 85,000[3] | 3.5% | |
| Infectious diseases | 75,000[3] | 3.1% | |
| Toxic agents including toxins, particulates and radon | 55,000[3] | 2.3% | |
| Traffic collisions | 43,000[3] | 1.8% | |
| Firearms deaths | 29,000[3] | 1.2% | Suicide: 16,586; homicide: 10,801; Accidents: 776; Legal intervention: 270; Unknown: 230 |
| Sexually transmitted infections | 20,000[3] | 0.8% | |
| Drug abuse | 17,000[3] | 0.7% |
Various accidents are the leading cause of death in children 9 – 18 years of age. The top five worldwide unintentional injuries in children are as follows:[7]
| Cause | Number of deaths resulting |
|---|---|
| Traffic collision |
260,000 per year |
| Drowning |
175,000 per year |
| Burns |
96,000 per year |
| Falls |
47,000 per year |
| Toxins |
45,000 per year |
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