25-Year Trend in Heart Deaths Shows Steady Decline, Disparity

America's top killer continues to disproportionately affect Black males as overall death rates fall.

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000 Population by Race and Sex, United States, 1979-2006 (Age-Adjusted)

The CDC's MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) has reported on preliminary death rates for 2006, showing decreasing death rates across the board and the highest life expectancy in our history for all races and both sexes. 

Heart disease, still the number one cause of death, caused fewer deaths for all races and both sexes than in 2005, continuing an overall trend seen over the last 25 years.  White males have shown the largest decrease in deaths from heart disease, and Black males continue to have the highest rates.

Life expectancy overall remains highest for White women and lowest for Black men.

Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2006

QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Rates* of Death from Heart Disease, by Race and Sex --- United States, 1979--2006