This past weekend I encountered a blog post that shared the leading causes of death in 1900 and in 2010 according to a recent piece in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In 1900, five causes of death claimed at least 100 people per every 100,000:
- pneumonia or influenza: 202.2
- tuberculosis: 194.4
- gastrointestinal infections: 142.7
- heart disease: 137.4
- cerebrovascular disease: 106.9
By 2010 only two causes of death claimed at least 100 people per every 100,000:
- heart disease: 192.9
- cancer: 185.9
So What?
It is common knowledge that people live much longer today than they did 100 years ago. Significant advances in medicine have helped secure longer lives with higher quality of living for many. Today’s top two killers have increased at an incredible rate when compared to the earlier numbers: cancer from 64 to 185.9 and heart disease from 137.4 to 192.9.
- What items on these lists or the associated chart surprise you? How do you expect current health issues to alter this chart in the coming decades (especially increased rates of obesity)?
- What does your congregation do to help people learn how to live healthier lives? What programs have been well received? Has your congregation tried any intergenerational events? community events?
- What does your religion have to say about how you care for your physical body?