Leading Causes of Death for 64-Year-Olds

As we age, our risk of developing certain health conditions increases. For those who are 64 years old, it's important to be aware of the leading causes of death so that you can take steps to prevent them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease and cancer are the top two causes of death for people in this age group. In this article, we'll explore these and other leading causes of death for 64-year-olds, and provide some tips on how to stay healthy and reduce your risk. (Note: See here for 63-year-old causes of death or here for the most common causes of death for 65-year-olds.)

Leading Causes of Death for 64-Year-Olds (2021 CDC Data)

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Cancer15,575
Heart Disease15,133
COVID-199,285
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)2,864
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease2,843
Diabetes2,518
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)1,760
Kidney Disease938
Septicemia855
Flu (Non-COVID)653
Suicide646
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids278
Alzheimer's Disease269
Parkinson's Disease191
Viral Hepatitis169
HIV150
Nutritional Deficiency136
Homicide127
Congenital Malformations119
Peptic Ulcer90
Enterocolitis72
Anemias70
Gallbladder Disorder57

First and foremost, cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death among 64-year-olds, with both accounting for over 15,000 deaths each in 2021 alone. These two have been the top causes of death for several years now, and it is evident from the data that efforts need to be undertaken to effectively combat them.

COVID-19, which has been one of the most disruptive pandemics in history, has caused over 9,000 deaths among 64-year-olds in 2021. However, it is noteworthy that the number of COVID-19 deaths has declined significantly compared to the previous year, which is a positive sign.

Accidents, including overdoses, have been responsible for 2,864 deaths among 64-year-olds, which is a significant number. This highlights the need for caution and sensible behavior, especially while driving or indulging in risky activities.

Chronic lower respiratory disease and diabetes have also claimed more than 2,000 lives each, making them prominent causes of death. It would be wise to give more attention to managing these conditions, given their high prevalence.

Liver disease, kidney disease, septicemia, and the flu (excluding COVID-19) are responsible for lesser but still significant numbers of deaths among 64-year-olds. These diseases should not be taken lightly and necessitate regular screening and appropriate care.

The occurrence of suicides, homicides, and congenital malformations is relatively infrequent but still represents a concerning issue, and measures must be taken to prevent them.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the data suggests that men are more prone to mortality than women in all categories except Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and nutritional deficiency. This may be an important factor to consider while designing health policies and interventions.

In conclusion, this data highlights a few prominent causes of mortality that demand appropriate attention and action. A deeper analysis and understanding of the factors behind these deaths can help formulate more effective policies and interventions to reduce mortality rates among 64-year-olds.

Top Causes of Death for Age 64 Men

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease10,177
Cancer8,511
COVID-195,407
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)2,043
Diabetes1,563
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease1,465
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)1,145
Kidney Disease552
Suicide504
Septicemia492
Flu (Non-COVID)365
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids162
Parkinson's Disease128
HIV122
Alzheimer's Disease112
Viral Hepatitis109
Homicide90
Congenital Malformations64
Nutritional Deficiency57
Peptic Ulcer55
Enterocolitis39
Anemias35
Gallbladder Disorder29

The mortality data above reveals that heart disease is the primary cause of death among 64-year-old men, accounting for 10,177 fatalities. Cancer comes in second place, causing 8,511 deaths. COVID-19 also features prominently on the list, with 5,407 deaths. Accidents, including overdoses, were the cause of 2,043 deaths among 64-year-old men.

Furthermore, diseases such as diabetes and chronic lower respiratory disease were responsible for 1,563 and 1,465 deaths, respectively, cementing their place as major causes of mortality. Liver disease (including cirrhosis) resulted in 1,145 deaths, while kidney disease caused 552 deaths.

Suicide was responsible for 504 deaths, with septicemia claiming 492 lives. Other causes of death were relatively less significant, causing fewer than 500 deaths each. These include influenza, pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, and viral hepatitis.

The data highlights heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19 as the most significant causes of death among 64-year-old men. However, other diseases such as diabetes, chronic lower respiratory disease, liver disease, and kidney disease also feature prominently, reinforcing their position as leading causes of mortality. Additionally, accidents, including overdoses, and suicide demonstrate the need for caution and vigilance to prevent preventable deaths.

Common Causes of Death for 64-Year-Old Women

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Cancer7,064
Heart Disease4,956
COVID-193,878
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease1,378
Diabetes955
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)821
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)615
Kidney Disease386
Septicemia363
Flu (Non-COVID)288
Alzheimer's Disease157
Suicide142
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids116
Nutritional Deficiency79
Parkinson's Disease63
Viral Hepatitis60
Congenital Malformations55
Homicide37
Anemias35
Peptic Ulcer35
Enterocolitis33
HIV28
Gallbladder Disorder28

Among 64-year-old women, cancer and heart disease continue to be the two primary causes of death, accounting for over 11,000 fatalities combined. These are followed by COVID-19, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, and accidents (including overdoses), which are also significant contributors to mortality.

Liver disease, kidney disease, septicemia, the flu (excluding COVID-19), and Alzheimer’s disease are other noteworthy causes of death that warrant attention.

Suicide, homicide, congenital malformations, and rare causes such as viral hepatitis and HIV are relatively infrequent in comparison but still important to consider.

It is also notable that some causes of death occur more often in women than men, such as Alzheimer’s disease and anemias. These differences warrant further investigation and attention.

In summary, the top causes of mortality among 64-year-old women align with those for the general population, with cancer and heart disease remaining the leading causes. However, some specific causes of death are more prevalent in women, and these warrant further investigation to develop targeted interventions.

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