Mortality in the United States is best summarized by the age-adjusted death rate—a measure that accounts for changes in the age distribution of the population. In 2010, the age-adjusted death rate for the United States was 746.2 per 100,000 population.
Based on that statistic non-Hispanic blacks had the highest mortality rate followed by the non-Hispanic white population. Death rates for all race and ethnic groups have been decreasing since 1950 according to the July, 2012 National Center for Health Statistics.
Hispanic females have the longest life expectancy at 83.8 years followed by non-Hispanic white females at 81.1 years. Hispanic’s of both sexes have the longest U.S. life expectancy at 81.3 versus 78.7, for all races and origins.
In 2010, the five leading causes of death were: heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, and accidents. The ranking of conditions varies according to demographics such as age, sex, and race. However, the infant mortality rate reached a record-low level of 6.14 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010.
