Work

Assessing Years of Life Lost Versus Number of Deaths in the United States, 1995–2015

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To assess years of life lost to each cause of death in the United States between 1995 and 2015, and compare it with the number of deaths. METHODS: We used Vital Statistics mortality data and defined "life-years lost" as remaining life expectancy for each decedent's age, sex, and race. We calculated the share of life-years lost to each cause of death in each year, and examined reasons for changes. RESULTS: In 2015, heart disease caused the most deaths, but cancer caused 23% more life-years lost. Life-years lost to heart disease declined 6% since 1995, whereas life-years lost to cancer increased 16%. The increase for cancer was entirely attributable to population growth and longer life expectancy; had these factors remained constant, life-years lost to heart disease and cancer would have fallen 56% and 38%, respectively. Accidents (including overdoses), suicides, and homicides each caused twice the share of life-years lost as deaths. Measuring life-years lost highlighted racial disparities in heart disease, homicides, and perinatal conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Life-years lost may provide additional context for understanding long-term mortality trends.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2017.303986

Authors: Glen B. Taksler, Michael B. Rothberg

Institution: Cleveland Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Insurance, Mortality, Demography, Risk Management

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences