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National Vital

Statistics Reports

Volume 61, Number 6 October 10, 2012

Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011

by Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and Jiaquan Xu, M.D., Division of Vital Statistics

Abstract

Objectives—This report presents preliminary U.S. data on

deaths, death rates, life expectancy, leading causes of death, and

infant mortality for 2011 by selected characteristics such as age, sex,

race, and Hispanic origin.

Methods—Data in this report are based on death records com-

prising more than 98 percent of the demographic and medical files for

all deaths in the United States in 2011. The records are weighted to

independent control counts for 2011. Comparisons are made with 2010

final data.

Results—The age-adjusted death rate decreased from 747.0

deaths per 100,000 population in 2010 to 740.6 deaths per 100,000

population in 2011. From 2010 to 2011, age-adjusted death rates

decreased significantly for 5 of the 15 leading causes of death: Dis-

eases of heart, Malignant neoplasms, Cerebrovascular diseases,

Alzheimer’s disease, and Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis.

The age-adjusted death rate increased for six leading causes of death:

Chronic lower respiratory diseases, Diabetes mellitus, Influenza and

pneumonia, Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, Parkinson’s disease,

and Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids. Life expectancy remained

the same in 2011 as it had been in 2010 at 78.7 years.

Keywords: death rates c life expectancy c vital statistics c mortality

Introduction

This report presents preliminary mortality data for the United

States based on vital records for a substantial proportion of deaths

occurring in 2011. Statistics in preliminary reports are generally

considered reliable; past analyses reveal that most statistics shown in

preliminary reports were confirmed by the final statistics for each of

those years (1–3).

Data Sources and Methods

Preliminary data in this report are based on records of deaths

that occurred in calendar year 2011, which were received from state

vital statistics offices and processed by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

as of June 12, 2012. Estimates of the level of completeness of

preliminary data for each state are shown in Table I (see Technical

Notes). Detailed information on the nature, sources, and qualifica-

tions of the preliminary data is given in the Technical Notes.

Each state vital statistics office reported to NCHS the number of

deaths registered and processed for calendar year 2011. Those state

counts were used as independent control counts for NCHS’ 2011

preliminary national mortality file. A comparison of a) the number of

2011 death records received from the states for processing by NCHS

with b) the state’s independent control counts of the number of deaths

in 2011 indicates that demographic information from death certificates

for the United States was available for an estimated 98.9 percent of

infant deaths (under age 1 year) and 99.4 percent of deaths of persons

aged 1 year and over occurring in calendar year 2011 (see Table I in

the Technical Notes). Medical (or cause-of-death) information, pro-

cessed separately, was available for an estimated 97.3 percent of infant

deaths and 98.1 percent of deaths of persons aged 1 year and over

in 2011.

Cause-of-death information is not always available when prelimi-

nary data are sent to NCHS, but is available later for final data

processing. As a result, estimates of cause of death based on pre-

liminary mortality data may differ from statistics developed from the final

mortality data (see Tables II and III in the Technical Notes). Such

differences may affect certain causes of death where the cause is

pending investigation, such as for Assault (homicide), Intentional self-

harm (suicide), Accidents (unintentional injuries), Drug-induced deaths,

and Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); see ‘‘Nonsampling error’’

in the Technical Notes.

Tabulations by race and ethnic group are based on the race and

ethnic group reported for the decedent. Race and Hispanic origin are

reported as separate items on the death certificate. Data are shown

for the following race and ethnic groups: white, non-Hispanic white,

black, non-Hispanic black, American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN),

Asian or Pacific Islander (API), and Hispanic populations. Death rates

for AIAN, API, and, to a lesser extent, Hispanic populations are known

to be too low because of reporting problems (see ‘‘Race and Hispanic

origin’’ in the Technical Notes).

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

National Vital Statistics System

2 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

All comparisons in this report are between the 2010 final data (3)

and the 2011 preliminary data. Changes in death rates from 2010 to

2011 were tested for statistical significance. Differences in death rates

across demographic groups (but occurring in 2011 only) were also

tested for statistical significance. Unless otherwise specified, reported

differences in death rates are statistically significant.

Age-adjusted death rates are better indicators than crude death

rates for showing changes in the risk of death over time when the age

distribution of the population is changing, and for comparing the

mortality of population subgroups that have different age compositions.

All age-adjusted death rates are standardized to the year 2000 popu-

lation (see ‘‘Computing rates and percentages’’ in the Technical Notes).

Life expectancy data shown in this report for data years

2010–2011 are based on methodology similar to that of the 1999–2001

decennial life tables. Beginning with final data reported for 2008, the

life table methodology was revised by changing the smoothing tech-

nique used to estimate the life table functions at the oldest ages; see

Technical Notes (1). The methodology used to produce life expectan-

cies adjusts for misclassification for Hispanic and for race and ethnicity

for the non-Hispanic populations (see ‘‘Life tables’’ in the Technical

Notes). Adjustments do not account for other sources of error such as

return migration (4). Note that adjustments for misclassification are

applied to the production of the life tables, but not to the death rates

shown in this report.

Two measures of infant mortality are shown: the infant death rate

and the infant mortality rate (see ‘‘Infant mortality’’ in the Technical

Notes). These measures typically are similar, although they can differ

because they have different denominators.

Results

Trends in numbers and rates

The preliminary number of deaths in the United States for 2011

was 2,513,171 (Tables A and 1). The crude death rate of 806.6 per

100,000 population was 0.9 percent higher than the rate of 799.5 per

100,000 in 2010. The estimated age-adjusted death rate, which

accounts for changes in the age distribution of the population,

reached a record low of 740.6 per 100,000 U.S. standard population,

0.9 percent lower than the 2010 rate of 747.0 (Tables A and 1).

Figure 1 illustrates the general pattern of decline in both crude and

age-adjusted death rates since 1980. The age-adjusted death rate

decreased from 2010 to 2011 by 1.4 percent for males and 0.5 percent for

females. The relative magnitudes of significant changes in age-adjusted

death rates by sex, race, and Hispanic origin (Table 1)are:

+ White males—1.0 percent decrease

+ Non-Hispanic white males—0.6 percent decrease

+ Black males—3.3 percent decrease

+ Black females—1.6 percent decrease

+ Non-Hispanic black males—2.7 percent decrease

+ Non-Hispanic black females—1.2 percent decrease

+ AIAN males—5.9 percent decrease

+ AIAN females—3.7 percent decrease

+ API males—4.2 percent decrease

+ API females—2.6 percent decrease

+ Hispanic males—4.8 percent decrease

+ Hispanic females—2.5 percent decrease

Rates for the AIAN and API populations should be interpreted

with caution because of inconsistencies between reporting race on

death certificates and on censuses, surveys, and birth certificates.

Note that mortality for races other than white and black may be

seriously understated in some cases due to underreporting for some

race groups and Hispanic origin on death certificates (4–6).

Statistically significant decreases in mortality from 2010 to 2011

were registered for those under age 1 year and across age groups over

65 years. Decedents aged 25–34 experienced the only statistically

significant increase. Mortality for age groups 1–4 years, 5–14 years,

15–24 years, 35–44 years, 45–54 years, and 55–64 years did not

change significantly. The magnitude of the significant changes in

mortality by age group is (Table 1):

+ Under 1 year—4.0 percent decrease

+ 25–34 years—1.5 percent increase

+ 65–74 years—1.6 percent decrease

+ 75–84 years—0.8 percent decrease

+ 85 years and over—1.2 percent decrease

The death rate for ‘‘under 1 year’’ shown above is based on a

population estimate and is different from the infant mortality rate,

which is based on live births (see ‘‘Infant mortality’’).

The preliminary estimate of life expectancy at birth for the total

population in 2011 is 78.7 years. This is the same as in 2010 (Tables A

and 6). Life expectancy for males increased 0.1 year, from 76.2 in 2010

to 76.3 in 2011. Female life expectancy also increased 0.1 year, from

81.0 years to 81.1 years. (Life expectancy from 2010 to 2011 differed

for the male and female populations but was unchanged for both sexes

combined due to rounding.)

The difference between male and female life expectancy at birth

has generally been decreasing since its peak of 7.8 years in 1979 (1,7).

The gap between male and female life expectancy was 4.8 years in

2011, unchanged from the difference between the sexes in 2010. The

difference in life expectancy between the white and black populations

in 2011 was 3.7 years, a 0.1-year decrease from the 2010 gap between

the two races (Table A).

Life expectancy for the Hispanic population increased 0.2 year in

2011 to 81.4 years compared with 2010 (Table 6). In 2011, the life

expectancy for the Hispanic female population was 83.7 years. The life

expectancy for the Hispanic male population in 2011 was 78.9. The

difference in life expectancy between the sexes for the Hispanic

population was 4.8 years.

Among the six Hispanic origin-race-sex groups (Table 6 and

Figure 2), Hispanic females have the highest life expectancy at birth

(83.7 years), followed by non-Hispanic white females (81.1 years),

Hispanic males (78.9 years), non-Hispanic black females (77.8 years),

non-Hispanic white males (76.4 years), and non-Hispanic black males

(71.6 years). Figure 2 also shows that this pattern has not changed

since 2006 although life expectancy for all groups has generally

increased.

By state of residence, Hawaii had the lowest mortality in 2011 with

an age-adjusted death rate of 584.8 deaths per 100,000 standard

population (Table 3). Mortality was highest in Mississippi, with an

age-adjusted death rate of 956.2 per 100,000 standard population.

3 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

Causes of death

The leading causes of death in 2011 remained the same as in

2010 for the 15 leading causes, although two causes exchanged

ranks. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, the eighth

leading cause in 2010, became the ninth leading cause in 2011, while

Influenza and pneumonia, the ninth leading cause in 2010, became

the eighth leading cause of death in 2011. The 15 leading causes of

death in 2011 (Table B) were as follows:

1. Diseases of heart

2. Malignant neoplasms

3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases

4. Cerebrovascular diseases

5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)

6. Alzheimer’s disease

7. Diabetes mellitus

Table A. Deaths, age-adjusted death rates, and life expectancy at birth, by race and sex; and infant deaths and

mortality rates, by race: United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011

[Data are based on a continuous file of records received from the states. Figures for 2011 are based on weighted data rounded to the nearest individual, so categories may

not add to totals]

All races

White

Black

Measure and sex 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010

All deaths ..................

Male ....................

Female ..................

Age-adjusted death rate

.........

Male ....................

Female ..................

2,513,171

1,253,716

1,259,456

740.6

874.5

631.9

2,468,435

1,232,432

1,236,003

747.0

887.1

634.9

2,153,864

1,070,817

1,083,046

738.1

869.3

629.7

2,114,749

1,051,514

1,063,235

741.8

878.5

630.8

290,135

146,843

143,292

877.4

1,067.3

740.1

286,959

145,802

141,157

898.2

1,104.0

752.5

Life expectancy at birth (in years) ....

Male ....................

Female ..................

78.7

76.3

81.1

78.7

76.2

81.0

79.0

76.6

81.3

78.9

76.5

81.3

75.3

72.1

78.2

75.1

71.8

78.0

All infant deaths ..............

Infant mortality rate

............

23,910

6.05

24,586

6.15

15,438

5.11

15,954

5.20

7,234

11.42

7,401

11.63

Includes races other than white and black.

Race categories are consistent with the 1977 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards. Multiple-race data were reported for deaths by 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2011 and

by 37 states and the District of Columbia in 2010, and were reported for births (used as the denominator in computing infant mortality rates), by 40 states and the District of Columbia in 2011 and by

38 states and the District of Columbia in 2010; see Technical Notes. The multiple-race data for these reporting areas were bridged to the single-race categories of the 1977 OMB standards for

comparability with other reporting areas; see Technical Notes.

Age-adjusted death rates are per 100,000 U.S. standard population, based on the year 2000 standard.

Infant mortality rates are deaths under age 1 year per 1,000 live births in specified group.

Figure 2. Life expectancy at birth, by Hispanic origin, race for

non-Hispanic population, and sex: United States, 2006–2010

final and 2011 preliminary

Non-Hispanic black female

Non-Hispanic black male

Non-Hispanic white female

Non-Hispanic white male

Hispanic female

Hispanic male

All races, both sexes

2011 201020092008

Year

20072006

Age in years

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.

Figure 1. Crude and age-adjusted death rates: United States,

1980–2010 final and 2011 preliminary

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

Age adjusted

Crude

2011

2010200520001995199019851980

Rate per 100,000 population

NOTE: Crude death rates on an annual basis are per 100,000 population;

age-adjusted rates are per 100,000 U.S. standard population; rates for 2001–2009

are revised and may differ from the rates previously published; see Technical Notes.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.

Year

4 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

8. Influenza and pneumonia

9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis

10. Intentional self-harm (suicide)

11. Septicemia

12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis

13. Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease

14. Parkinson’s disease

15. Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids

From 2010 to 2011, the age-adjusted death rate declined

significantly for 5 of the 15 leading causes of death. The age-adjusted

death rate for the leading cause of death, Diseases of heart,

decreased by 3.0 percent. The age-adjusted death rate for Malignant

neoplasms decreased by 2.4 percent (Tables B and 2). Deaths from

these two diseases combined accounted for 47 percent of deaths in

the United States in 2011. Heart disease mortality has exhibited a

fairly steady decline since 1980, and cancer mortality began to

decline in the early 1990s (8). Of the 15 leading causes of death, the

age-adjusted death rate also decreased significantly for Cerebrovas-

cular diseases (3.1 percent), Alzheimer’s disease (2.0 percent), and

Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis (12.4 percent).

The decrease in deaths from Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and

nephrosis from 2010 to 2011 needs to be interpreted with caution,

however. Changes in classification and coding were made in 2011 that

contributed to the decrease. Renal failure, for example, mentioned on

death certificates was more likely to be treated as a renal complication

of other diseases on the death certificate in 2011. As a result, more of

these records shift from the Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and neph-

rosis category to other diseases (e.g., Diabetes mellitus with renal

complications, which is part of the broader Diabetes mellitus category).

The age-adjusted death rate increased significantly from 2010 to

2011 for six leading causes: Chronic lower respiratory diseases

(1.2 percent), Diabetes mellitus (3.4 percent), Influenza and pneu-

monia (4.0 percent), Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (3.2 percent),

Parkinson’s disease (2.9 percent), and Pneumonitis due to solids and

liquids (3.9 percent).

The observed changes in the age-adjusted death rates from 2010

to 2011 were not significant for Accidents (unintentional injuries), Inten-

tional self-harm (suicide), Septicemia, and Essential hypertension and

hypertensive renal disease.

Although Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease was not

among the 15 leading causes of death in 2011 for all ages combined,

it remains a public health concern, especially for those between the

ages of 15 and 64. The age-adjusted death rate for HIV disease

declined by 7.7 percent from 2010 to 2011 (Table 2). Following a period

of increase from 1987 through 1994, HIV disease mortality reached a

plateau in 1995. Subsequently, the rate for this disease decreased an

average of 33.0 percent per year from 1995 through 1998 (9), and

6.5 percent per year from 1999 through 2010 (data not shown). For all

races combined in the age group 15–24, HIV disease was the 12th

leading cause of death in 2010 and 2011. HIV disease dropped from

Table B. Deaths and death rates for 2011 and age-adjusted death rates and percentage changes in age-adjusted rates

from 2010 to 2011 for the 15 leading causes of death in 2011: United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011

[Data are based on a continuous file of records received from the states. Rates are per 100,000 population; age-adjusted rates per 100,000 U.S. standard population based

on the year 2000 standard; see Technical Notes. For explanation of asterisks (*) preceding cause-of-death codes, see Technical Notes. Figures for 2011 are based on

weighted data rounded to the nearest individual, so categories may not add to totals]

Age-adjusted death rate

Cause of death (based on the International Classification of Diseases, Death Percent

Rank

Tenth Revision, 2008 Edition, 2009) Number rate 2011 2010 change

. . . All causes ............................................................ 2,512,873 806.5 740.6 747.0 -0.9

1 Diseases of heart .......................................... (I00–I09,I11,I13,I20–I51) 596,339 191.4 173.7 179.1 –3.0

2 Malignant neoplasms ................................................ (C00–C97) 575,313 184.6 168.6 172.8 –2.4

3 Chronic lower respiratory diseases .........................................(J40–J47) 143,382 46.0 42.7 42.2 1.2

4 Cerebrovascular diseases .............................................. (I60–I69) 128,931 41.4 37.9 39.1 –3.1

5 Accidents (unintentional injuries) .................................. (V01–X59,Y85–Y86)

2,3

122,777 39.4 38.0 38.0 0.0

6 Alzheimer’s disease .................................................... (G30) 84,691 27.2 24.6 25.1 –2.0

7 Diabetes mellitus .................................................. (E10–E14) 73,282 23.5 21.5 20.8 3.4

8 Influenza and pneumonia ............................................. (J09–J18)

53,667 17.2 15.7 15.1 4.0

Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis ......................(N00–N07,N17–N19,N25–N27)

Intentional self-harm (suicide) ................................... (*U03,X60–X84,Y87.0)

45,731

38,285

14.7

12.3

13.4

12.0

15.3

12.1

–12.4

–0.8

11 Septicemia ...................................................... (A40–A41) 35,539 11.4 10.5 10.6 –0.9

12 Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis ..................................... (K70,K73–K74) 33,539 10.8 9.7 9.4 3.2

13 Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease ........................... (I10,I12,I15) 27,477 8.8 8.0 8.0 0.0

14 Parkinson’s disease ................................................ (G20–G21)

23,107 7.4 7.0 6.8 2.9

15 Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids ......................................... (J69) 18,090 5.8 5.3 5.1 3.9

. . . All other causes .................................................... (residual) 512,723 164.6 . . . . . . . . .

. . .Category not applicable.

Rank based on number of deaths.

For unintentional injuries, suicides, preliminary and final data may differ significantly because of the truncated nature of the preliminary file.

New ICD–10 subcategories were introduced for the existing X34 (Victim of earthquake); see Technical Notes.

New ICD–10 code J12.3 (Human metapneumovirus pneumonia) was added to the category in 2011; see Technical Notes.

New subcategories replaced previous ones for N18 (Chronic kidney disease) in 2011. Changes affect comparability with previous year’s data; see Technical Notes.

New ICD–10 code G21.4 (Vascular parkinsonism) was added to the category in 2011; see Technical Notes.

NOTES: Data are subject to sampling and random variation. For information regarding the calculation of standard errors and further discussion of the variability of the data, see Technical Notes.

5 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

the seventh leading cause of death in 2010 to the eighth leading cause

in 2011 for the age group 25–44. Among decedents aged 45–64, HIV

disease remained the 13th leading cause in 2011, unchanged from its

rank in 2010.

Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a predomi-

nantly antibiotic-associated inflammation of the intestines caused by C.

difficile, a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus, has

become a concern in recent years. The disease is often acquired by

long-term patients or residents in hospitals or other health-care facilities

and accounted for an increasing number of deaths between 1999 and

2008 (1,10,11). In 1999, 793 deaths were due to C. difficile, compared

with 7,476 C. difficile deaths in 2008 (1). The number of deaths dropped

slightly to 7,251 in 2009 and increased to 7,994 in 2011. The age-

adjusted death rate for this cause in 2011 was 2.4 deaths per 100,000

standard population, an increase of 9.1 percent from the rate in 2010.

In 2011, C. difficile ranked as the 17th leading cause of death for the

population aged 65 and over. Approximately 91 percent of deaths from

C. difficile occurred to people aged 65 and over (data not shown).

The age-adjusted death rate for drug-induced deaths did not

change significantly, according to preliminary data. However, the final

number of drug-induced deaths in 2011 may be substantially higher

because information on cause of death in these cases is often delayed

pending investigation. Additional information based on toxicology or

autopsy reports is often not available in the preliminary file. Mortality

from firearm injuries and alcohol-induced deaths in 2011 was

unchanged from 2010. The age-adjusted death rate for injury at work

in 2011 decreased 5.9 percent from the final rate of 1.7 in 2010 to 1.6

in 2011 (Table 2).

Infant mortality

The preliminary infant mortality rate for 2011 was 6.05 infant

deaths per 1,000 live births (Tables A and 4). This was not signifi-

cantly different from the final 2010 rate of 6.15. Few observed

changes in infant mortality from 2010 to 2011 were statistically

significant. With the exception of 2002, the infant mortality rate has

statistically remained the same or decreased significantly each

successive year from 1958 through 2011 (1,12). The neonatal (i.e.,

infants under age 28 days) mortality rate was 4.04 per 1,000 live

births in 2011, which also was not significantly different from 2010.

The postneonatal (i.e., infants aged 28 days–11 months) mortality

rate decreased by 4.3 percent from 2.10 deaths per 1,000 live births

in 2010 to 2.01 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011.

Infant mortality did not change significantly from 2010 to 2011 for

either black or white infants. The mortality rate of 11.42 deaths per

1,000 live births for black infants was 2.2 times the rate of 5.11 deaths

per 1,000 live births for white infants (Tables A and 4). Because of

inconsistencies in the reporting of race groups on birth and death

certificates (especially for races other than white and black and for

Hispanic origin), infant mortality rates for these groups are likely to be

underestimated (4). The linked birth/infant death data set provides a

better source of data for infant deaths and mortality rates by maternal

race and ethnicity (13).

Although the infant mortality rate is the preferred indicator of the

risk of dying during the first year of life, the infant death rate is also

shown in this report. While similar, these two rates vary based on

differences in their denominators. The denominator of the 2011 infant

death rate is the estimated population under age 1 year as of the

reference date, July 1, 2011 (14). This population estimate includes a

combination of infants born in 2010 who had not reached their first

birthday before July 1, 2011, and infants born in 2011 before July 1,

2011. In contrast, the denominator of the 2011 infant mortality rate is

all live births occurring during 2011 (15). For example, the preliminary

number of live births for 2011 (n = 3,953,593) is 1.1 percent lower than

the July 1 infant population in 2011 (n = 3,996,537). Therefore, the

infant mortality rate for 2011 (604.7 deaths per 100,000 live births) is

higher than the infant death rate for 2011 (598.3 deaths per 100,000

population). For 2011, only the infant death rate decreased significantly

from 2010.

The 10 leading causes of infant mortality for 2011 were:

1. Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal

abnormalities

2. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not

elsewhere classified

3. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

4. Newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy

5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)

6. Newborn affected by complications of placenta, cord and

membranes

7. Bacterial sepsis of newborn

8. Respiratory distress of newborn

9. Diseases of the circulatory system

10. Neonatal hemorrhage

The leading causes of infant death in 2011 were the same as in

2009. They were the same as in 2010 for 9 of the 10 leading causes

(Table 8). Dropping from among the 10 leading causes of infant death

in 2011 was Necrotizing enterocolitis of newborn, replaced by

Neonatal hemorrhage as the 10th leading cause of infant death in

2011. The infant mortality rate decreased for only 1 of the 10 leading

causes of death from 2010 to 2011 (Tables 5 and 8). The infant

mortality rate decreased by 16.1 percent for SIDS (Tables 5 and 8).

Deaths due to SIDS, currently the third leading cause of infant

death, have been declining since 1988 (1,16). Because SIDS deaths

often involve lengthy investigations, the mortality rate due to SIDS is

typically lower based on preliminary data than that based on the final

data. Recent declines in mortality due to SIDS also may reflect a

change in the way SIDS is diagnosed and reported by medical exam-

iners and coroners (17).

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List of Detailed Tables

1. Deaths and death rates, by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin,

and age-adjusted death rates, by sex, race, and Hispanic origin:

United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011 ............ 8

2. Deaths, death rates, and age-adjusted death rates for 113

selected causes, Injury by firearms, Drug-induced deaths,

Alcohol-induced deaths, Injury at work, and Enterocolitis due to

Clostridium difficile: United States, final 2010 and preliminary

2011 ........................................ 16

3. Deaths, death rates, and age-adjusted death rates: United States,

and each state and territory, final 2010 and preliminary 2011. . . 20

4. Infant deaths and infant mortality rates, by age, race, and

Hispanic origin: United States, final 2010 and preliminary

2011 ........................................ 21

5. Infant deaths and infant mortality rates for 130 selected causes:

United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011 ............ 22

6. Expectation of life at selected ages, by race, Hispanic origin, race

for non-Hispanic population, and sex: United States, final 2010

andpreliminary2011 ............................. 26

7. Deaths and death rates for the 10 leading causes of death in

specified age groups: United States, preliminary 2011 ....... 29

8. Infant deaths and infant mortality rates for the 10 leading causes

of infant death, by race and Hispanic origin: United States,

preliminary2011 ................................ 32

8 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

Table 1. Deaths and death rates, by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin, and age-adjusted death rates, by sex, race,

and Hispanic origin: United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011

[Data are based on a continuous file of records received from the states. Age-specific rates are per 100,000 population in specified group. Age-adjusted rates are per 100,000

U.S. standard population; see Technical Notes. Figures for 2011 are based on weighted data rounded to the nearest individual, so categories may not add to totals. Race and

Hispanic origin are reported separately on the death certificate. Data for Hispanic origin and specified races other than white and black should be interpreted with caution

because of inconsistencies between reporting Hispanic origin and race on death certificates and on censuses and surveys; see Technical Notes. Race categories are

consistent with the 1977 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards. Multiple-race data were reported by 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2011 and by 37

states and the District of Columbia in 2010; see Technical Notes. The multiple-race data for these states were bridged to the single-race categories of the 1977 OMB

standards for comparability with other states; see Technical Notes. Data for persons of Hispanic origin are included in the data for each race group, according to the

decedent’s reported race; see Technical Notes]

2011 2010

Age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin Number Rate Number Rate

All races, both sexes

All ages ................... 2,513,171 806.6 2,468,435 799.5

Under 1 year

................ 23,910 598.3 24,586 623.4

1–4 years .................. 4,236 26.2 4,316 26.5

5–14 years ................. 5,377 13.1 5,279 12.9

15–24 years ................ 29,624 67.6 29,551 67.7

25–34 years ................ 43,631 104.4 42,259 102.9

35–44 years ................ 69,746 171.7 70,033 170.5

45–54 years ................ 182,994 409.2 183,207 407.1

55–64 years ................ 323,015 848.7 310,802 851.9

65–74 years ................ 414,792 1,845.0 407,151 1,875.1

75–84 years ................ 625,860 4,750.3 625,651 4,790.2

85 years and over ............. 789,854 13,767.3 765,474 13,934.3

Not stated ................. 132 . . . 126 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 740.6 . . . 747.0

All races, male

All ages ................... 1,253,716 817.9 1,232,432 812.0

Under 1 year

................ 13,259 648.8 13,702 680.2

1–4 years .................. 2,393 29.0 2,460 29.6

5–14 years ................. 3,163 15.1 3,054 14.6

15–24 years ................ 21,894 97.6 21,790 97.6

25–34 years ................ 30,003 142.6 29,192 141.5

35–44 years ................ 43,152 213.4 43,434 212.5

45–54 years ................ 111,552 506.6 112,018 505.9

55–64 years ................ 196,424 1,070.0 189,295 1,075.5

65–74 years ................ 234,102 2,234.6 229,704 2,275.1

75–84 years ................ 312,543 5,608.1 311,830 5,693.7

85 years and over ............. 285,134 15,054.4 275,866 15,414.3

Not stated ................. 96 . . . 87 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 874.5 . . . 887.1

All races, female

All ages ................... 1,259,456 795.6 1,236,003 787.4

Under 1 year

................ 10,651 545.4 10,884 564.0

1–4 years .................. 1,843 23.3 1,856 23.3

5–14 years ................. 2,214 11.0 2,225 11.1

15–24 years ................ 7,730 36.2 7,761 36.4

25–34 years ................ 13,628 65.7 13,067 64.0

35–44 years ................ 26,594 130.3 26,599 128.9

45–54 years ................ 71,442 314.7 71,189 311.4

55–64 years ................ 126,591 642.5 121,507 643.5

65–74 years ................ 180,690 1,505.1 177,447 1,527.5

75–84 years ................ 313,317 4,121.4 313,821 4,137.7

85 years and over ............. 504,720 13,133.0 489,608 13,219.2

Not stated ................. 36 . . . 39 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 631.9 . . . 634.9

See footnotes at end of table.

9 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012

Table 1. Deaths and death rates, by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin, and age-adjusted death rates, by sex, race,

and Hispanic origin: United States, final 2010 and preliminary 2011—Con.

[Data are based on a continuous file of records received from the states. Age-specific rates are per 100,000 population in specified group. Age-adjusted rates are per 100,000

U.S. standard population; see Technical Notes. Figures for 2011 are based on weighted data rounded to the nearest individual, so categories may not add to totals. Race and

Hispanic origin are reported separately on the death certificate. Data for Hispanic origin and specified races other than white and black should be interpreted with caution

because of inconsistencies between reporting Hispanic origin and race on death certificates and on censuses and surveys; see Technical Notes. Race categories are

consistent with the 1977 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards. Multiple-race data were reported by 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2011 and by 37

states and the District of Columbia in 2010; see Technical Notes. The multiple-race data for these states were bridged to the single-race categories of the 1977 OMB

standards for comparability with other states; see Technical Notes. Data for persons of Hispanic origin are included in the data for each race group, according to the

decedent’s reported race; see Technical Notes]

2011 2010

Age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin Number Rate Number Rate

Total white, both sexes

All ages ................... 2,153,864 871.7 2,114,749 861.7

Under 1 year

................ 15,438 515.5 15,954 537.2

1–4 years .................. 2,973 24.5 3,015 24.6

5–14 years ................. 3,907 12.5 3,841 12.3

15–24 years ................ 21,610 64.9 21,509 64.7

25–34 years ................ 32,605 101.2 31,425 99.2

35–44 years ................ 52,857 166.8 53,060 165.0

45–54 years ................ 143,215 397.4 143,049 392.9

55–64 years ................ 259,396 820.3 249,583 820.3

65–74 years ................ 349,774 1,823.5 342,977 1,846.7

75–84 years ................ 551,575 4,794.0 552,508 4,818.2

85 years and over ............. 720,413 14,016.6 697,733 14,147.6

Not stated ................. 100 . . . 95 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 738.1 . . . 741.8

White male

All ages ................... 1,070,817 875.4 1,051,514 866.1

Under 1 year

................ 8,555 558.8 8,871 584.3

1–4 years .................. 1,680 27.0 1,718 27.4

5–14 years ................. 2,306 14.4 2,222 13.8

15–24 years ................ 15,810 92.4 15,661 91.8

25–34 years ................ 22,603 137.5 21,883 135.6

35–44 years ................ 33,326 208.5 33,486 206.6

45–54 years ................ 88,664 494.5 89,017 491.9

55–64 years ................ 159,175 1,032.1 153,296 1,033.0

65–74 years ................ 198,530 2,197.8 194,793 2,232.4

75–84 years ................ 278,190 5,647.4 277,543 5,703.6

85 years and over ............. 261,903 15,318.1 252,958 15,640.3

Not stated ................. 74 . . . 66 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 869.3 . . . 878.5

White female

All ages ................... 1,083,046 868.0 1,063,235 857.3

Under 1 year

................ 6,883 470.3 7,083 488.0

1–4 years .................. 1,293 21.8 1,297 21.6

5–14 years ................. 1,601 10.5 1,619 10.6

15–24 years ................ 5,800 35.9 5,848 36.2

25–34 years ................ 10,002 63.4 9,542 61.4

35–44 years ................ 19,532 124.4 19,574 122.8

45–54 years ................ 54,550 301.2 54,032 295.1

55–64 years ................ 100,221 618.6 96,287 617.8

65–74 years ................ 151,244 1,490.3 148,184 1,504.9

75–84 years ................ 273,385 4,155.1 274,965 4,165.4

85 years and over ............. 458,510 13,367.8 444,775 13,419.3

Not stated ................. 26 . . . 29 . . .

Age-adjusted rate

............. . . . 629.7 . . . 630.8

See footnotes at end of table.

10 National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 61, No. 6, October 10, 2012