Injury and Violence
Both unintentional injuries and those caused by acts of violence are among the top 15 killers of Americans of all ages. Injuries are a leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. Over the past decade, the death rate from all injuries increased by 8 percent.
Five Leading Causes of Death, Ages 1 to 44
1. Unintentional injury: 45,696 deaths in 2012
2. Suicide: 18,157 deaths in 2012
3. Cancer: 17,889 deaths in 2012
4. Heart disease: 15,005 deaths in 2012
5. Homicide: 12,311 deaths in 2012
Data source: National Vital Statistics System-Mortality (NVSS-M), CDC/NCHS
Healthy People 2020 Targets
Homicide
5.4 homicides per 100,000 population in 2012 (age adjusted)
Most Recent: 5.4
HP 2020 Target: 5.5
Target has been exceeded
Data source: National Vital Statistics System-Mortality (NVSS-M), CDC/NCHS
Injury Deaths
5.87 deaths per 100,000 population in 2012 (age adjusted).
Most Recent: 58.7
HP 2020 Target: 53.7
8.0% decrease needed.
Data source: National Vital Statistics System-Mortality (NVSS-M), CDC/NCHS
