Heart Disease Mortality Data Trends for 2000-2008
DS 10-10002
Printer Version
At a Glance
- Heart disease was California’s number one leading cause of death every year from 2000 through 2008. Heart disease deaths accounted for more than one quarter (28.1 percent) of all California deaths during the same period.
- The age-adjusted heart disease death rate was lower in California than the United States every year from 2000 through 2007. National-level data is not available for 2008.
- There was a statistically significant downward trend in the California heart disease mortality rate. California’s age-adjusted heart disease death rate dropped from 237.6 in 2000 to 169.5 in 2008, a 28.7 percent decrease.
- More than two-thirds of all heart disease deaths during this time occurred to persons aged 75 and older. However, the proportions of deaths under age 75 varied considerably by sex and race/ethnicity.
- Men had consistently higher age-adjusted heart disease death rates than women, but both men and women exhibited statistically significant decreasing trends.
- Blacks had the highest age-adjusted mortality rates among race/ethnic groups.
- All race/ethnic groups had statistically significant decreasing trends with the exception of Two or More Races, which showed a statistically significant increase, possibly due to improved race reporting on the death certificate.
- Statistically significant decreasing trends were seen in 40 of California’s 58 counties. Sutter County demonstrated the greatest numerical and percentage decreases when comparing 2000 to 2008 data.
- For the study period, the lowest average age-adjusted heart disease death rate occurred in Marin County. The highest average age-adjusted heart disease death rate occurred in Kern County.
This report was authored by Loran Sheley, MA, Research Program Specialist. Please contact DAReports@cdph.ca.gov for further information.
