The above-mentioned changes in disease patterns have also been observed
in many other countries, including the less-developed world. For example, in
Brazil in 1940, infectious diseases caused 39 to 60% of all deaths, depending on
the region of the country, but by 1980 these diseases accounted for only 3 to
16% of deaths. However, cardiovascular diseases accounted for only 9 to 13%
of mortality in 1940 but rose to 20 to 38% in 1980.
16
What are the reasons for these changes? Scientists consider that environmental pollution may play a role in such a shift. Environmental pollution
affects all living organisms, including humans. Many human diseases are
traceable to substances in the air, water, and the foods we consume. Some of
the industrial agents released into the general environment are also known to
be, or suspected of being, carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
Environmental Change and Health
21
[16:55 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-002.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 21 13-30
Table 2.1 Changing Causes of Death in the U.S. between 1950 and 2000
Rank
Year
1950
1980
2000
Cause of death
%
a
Cause of death
%
a
Cause of death
%
a
1
Disease of heart
40.5 Disease of heart
b
39.6 Disease of heart
b
29.6
2
Malignant neoplasm
13.4 Malignant
neoplasm
b
20.0 Malignant
neoplasm
b
22.9
3
Cerebrovascular
diseases
12.5 Cerebrovascular
diseases
9.2 Cerebrovascular
diseases
7.0
4
Unintentional injuries
5.4 Unintentional
injuries
4.4 Chronic lower
respiratory
diseases
b
5.1
5
Influenza and
pneumonia (chronic
nephritis)
3.3 Influenza and
pneumonia
3.0 Unintentional
injuries
4.0
6
Diabetes mellitus
1.6 Chronic lower
respiratory
diseases
b
2.7 Diabetes mellitus
2.8
7
Suicide
0.9 Diabetes mellitus
1.7 Influenza and
pneumonia
2.7
8
Chronic liver disease
b
0.8 Chronic liver
disease
b
1.4 Suicide
1.2
9
Chronic lower respiratory
diseases
b
0.5 Suicide
1.1 Chronic liver
disease
b
1.1
10
Homicide
0.3 Homicide
1.0 Homicide
0.6
a Percent of total deaths from all causes.
b Diseases that are considered environmentally related.
Source: USDHHS, Health, United States, 1996–97 and Injury Chartbook, 1997; USDHHS:
Health, United States, 2003.
in many other countries, including the less-developed world. For example, in
Brazil in 1940, infectious diseases caused 39 to 60% of all deaths, depending on
the region of the country, but by 1980 these diseases accounted for only 3 to
16% of deaths. However, cardiovascular diseases accounted for only 9 to 13%
of mortality in 1940 but rose to 20 to 38% in 1980.
16
What are the reasons for these changes? Scientists consider that environmental pollution may play a role in such a shift. Environmental pollution
affects all living organisms, including humans. Many human diseases are
traceable to substances in the air, water, and the foods we consume. Some of
the industrial agents released into the general environment are also known to
be, or suspected of being, carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
Environmental Change and Health
21
[16:55 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-002.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 21 13-30
Table 2.1 Changing Causes of Death in the U.S. between 1950 and 2000
Rank
Year
1950
1980
2000
Cause of death
%
a
Cause of death
%
a
Cause of death
%
a
1
Disease of heart
40.5 Disease of heart
b
39.6 Disease of heart
b
29.6
2
Malignant neoplasm
13.4 Malignant
neoplasm
b
20.0 Malignant
neoplasm
b
22.9
3
Cerebrovascular
diseases
12.5 Cerebrovascular
diseases
9.2 Cerebrovascular
diseases
7.0
4
Unintentional injuries
5.4 Unintentional
injuries
4.4 Chronic lower
respiratory
diseases
b
5.1
5
Influenza and
pneumonia (chronic
nephritis)
3.3 Influenza and
pneumonia
3.0 Unintentional
injuries
4.0
6
Diabetes mellitus
1.6 Chronic lower
respiratory
diseases
b
2.7 Diabetes mellitus
2.8
7
Suicide
0.9 Diabetes mellitus
1.7 Influenza and
pneumonia
2.7
8
Chronic liver disease
b
0.8 Chronic liver
disease
b
1.4 Suicide
1.2
9
Chronic lower respiratory
diseases
b
0.5 Suicide
1.1 Chronic liver
disease
b
1.1
10
Homicide
0.3 Homicide
1.0 Homicide
0.6
a Percent of total deaths from all causes.
b Diseases that are considered environmentally related.
Source: USDHHS, Health, United States, 1996–97 and Injury Chartbook, 1997; USDHHS:
Health, United States, 2003.