Monthly Vital Statistics Reports

Report of Final Mortality Statistics, 1995

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 2,313,132 deaths occurred in the United States in 1995. This figure was 33,138 larger than the previous high of 2,278,944 deaths recorded in 1994. Although the number of deaths increased, the crude and age-adjusted death rates suggest an overall improvement in the general mortality experienced by those in the United States.

The "Report of Final Mortality Statistics, 1995," presents trends and patterns in general mortality, life expectancy, and infant and maternal mortality. Also included are descriptive data on U.S. deaths and death rates, according to such demographic and medical characteristics as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, educational attainment, State of residence, and causes of death. Data contained in this report are based on information from death certificates filed in the 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Data Highlights:

• The crude death rate for 1995 was 880.0 deaths per 100,000 population, slightly higher than the 1994 rate of 875.4.
• Life expectancy at birth increased for the total population to 75.8 years; still, women are expected to outlive men by an average of 6.4 years.
• The improvement in life expectancy was primarily due to a decrease in mortality from heart disease, cancer, homicide, perinatal conditions, and chronic liver disease, despite offsetting increases in mortality from diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, HIV infection, and accidents.
• The infant mortality rate (7.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births) reached a record low in 1995, continuing the long term downward trend in infant mortality.

Keywords: death certificate, mortality dynamics, health status, infant and maternal death