An alternative ranking of health problems measures premature death by considering the age at which the person dies. In this assessment, we calculate years of potential life lost by subtracting the age at death from a standard age of 65. The death of a 45-year-old person, for example, would mean twenty years of potential life lost (YPLL).

The leading cause of YPLL in Ingham County is injuries for the years 1993- 1995. Cancer and heart disease follow, then suicide and homicide. The leading causes of death and YPLL in our community are associated with lifestyle and health-related behaviors. The most common cancer in Ingham County is lung cancer, accounting for one fifth of all cancers. An estimated 85 percent of that is due to smoking. Over half of early death due to injuries involves motor vehicles. Approximately 45 percent of motor vehicle deaths involve alcohol. Smoking and poor diet contribute significantly to heart disease. Approximately 25 percent of early death due to heart disease can be attributed to a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle, and one-third of cancer deaths are due to poor diets.

Suicide claims more years of potential life as does homicide in Ingham County. Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all homicides and suicides.

Of the top ten leading causes of premature death, six (notably injuries, heart disease, violence and AIDS) have a greater impact on males than females. The relative impact of causes of death also varies by race. Homicide is the tenth leading cause of early death in the general Ingham County population. It is the leading cause of early death for black males.

Go Back To
Community Health Assessment Home Page