Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) found that 900,000 people die prematurely each year from five leading causes of death, however, a report by the agency has also found that approximately 40 percent of these fatalities could actually be prevented.

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In this country, the five leading causes of death that are responsible for approximately 60 percent of deaths each year:

Heart disease
Cancer
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
Strokes
Unintentional injuries

In the report released by the CDC, the agency examined premature deaths before age 80 for each of the top five causes. The study concluded that if all states had the same death rate as the states with the lowest rates, the following premature deaths could possibly be prevented:

Heart disease: 34 percent could be prevented, prolonging the lives of 92,000 people
Cancer: 21 percent could be prevented, prolonging the lives of 84,5000 lives
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 39 percent could be prevented, prolonging the lives of 29,000 people
Strokes: 33 percent could be prevented, prolonging the lives of 17,000 people
Unintentional injuries: 39 percent could be prevented, prolonging the lives of 39,000 people

Death from Unintentional Injury

The National Center for Health Statistics has concluded that the top three causes of fatal unintentional injuries are:

Motor vehicle accidents
Unintentional falls
Poisoning

There are a number of incidents that can cause death by unintentional injury, but the risk of unintentional injury increases if:

A person does not wear a seat belt when they are in a vehicle
A person does not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle
A person uses unsafe or defective consumer products
A person is exposed to dangerous residential and community environments
A person is exposed to occupational hazards

While some of these risks may be unavoidable, others are in our control, such as the proper use of seat belts at all times. Statistics from the CDC have found that seat belts prevent approximately half of all crash-related injuries and deaths. Children should be properly secured in car seats or booster seats based on their age and weight.

Other safe driving habits to practice include no cell phone use, eating, talking, driving when fatigued, and never drink and drive. Motorcycle riders and cyclists should always wear helmets and protective riding gear.

There are also steps that people can take at home to keep themselves and their families safe from unintentional injuries. All homes should be equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. All electric outlets should be covered, and all electrical work should be performed by a professional electrician.

Let a North Carolina Injury Attorney Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, a North Carolina personal injury lawyer from Shapiro & Appleton can help you get the financial compensation you may be entitled to the losses your injuries have caused. You may be able to pursue damages for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, permanent disability, emotional anguish, and more. If your loved one did not survive their injuries, our firm can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible.