Mortality

Date Posted: 05/05/2007

Mortality refers to the number or rate of deaths that occur in a population. Rates used in this report were per 100,000 residents and include: age-adjusted rates (used to provide a basis of comparison for two groups) and crude rates (utilized only in cases where one population was observed or where age-adjusted rates could not be calculated). In 1999, the standard comparison group for age-adjusted mortality rates was also updated. For that reason, this report examines mortality data from 2000-2005.

The following data were obtained from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Colorado Health Information Database (COHID). CDPHE protects patient confidentiality by limiting access to data when identification is statistically possible. Therefore, in certain circumstances (such as for Racial & Ethnic Health Data), data for Larimer County were suppressed and unavailable for analysis.

See Additional Information section for data regarding life expectancy.

What this chart shows: General Mortality Rates (per 100,000) - Colorado & Larimer County, 1995-2005

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What these data tell us:

Mortality rates for Larimer County and Colorado decreased appreciably in 2003 and 2004. This primarily appears to be the result of decreases in death due to cardiovascular disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death. Both have lower (better) mortality rates than the United States (830 deaths per 100,000 in 2004; National Vital Statistics Reports).

See the data table for number of deaths.

What this chart shows: Mortality Rates (per 100,000) by Type - Colorado & Larimer County, 2005

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What these data tell us: The leading causes of death for both Larimer County and Colorado in 2005 were heart disease and cancer. Larimer County had higher mortality rates for cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and intentional self-harm (suicide), while Colorado had higher mortality rates from accidents and chronic lower respiratory disease.

The most recent United States mortality data (2005) indicated that nationally cerebrovascular disease was the second leading cause of death. However, in Larimer County and Colorado cancer was the second leading cause of death. Larimer County had a higher mortality rate for intentional self-harm (suicide) than either United States or Colorado. Finally, Colorado had higher mortality rates for cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and accidents than United States or Larimer County.

To see a data table of the top 10 causes of death in the United States

1900-2003, click here.

For top ten conditions by gender, see the Men's and Women's Health pages.

What this chart shows: Mortality Rates (per 100,000) by Age Group - Larimer County, 2005

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What these data tell us:

Mortality rates increase dramatically after age 74 as people are more likely to die as they age. Although Larimer County has relatively low infant mortality rates (666 per 100,000), it is interesting to note that the mortality rate experienced in infancy is only exceeded by mortality rates for groups over age 65. Complications early in life such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, pre-term birth, or low birth weight contribute to infant mortality (see Infant Mortality page). It is also worth noting that infants and elderly groups contain smaller population numbers which increase rates (Population by Age). To see information on life expectancy, click here.

Additional Information:

On Compass-

• Cancer Mortality
• Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Mortality
• Infant Mortality
• Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality
• Suicide
• Unintentional Injury Mortality (including motor vehicle deaths)

Outside Compass-

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics 1900-1998
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics 1999-2003
• Centers for Disease Control, Office of Minority Health: Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
• National Vital Statistics Reports, Centers for Disease Control: Deaths-Preliminary Data for 2005

Top 10 Causes of Death in the United States, 1900, 1950, and 2003

1900	1950	2003
1. Pneumonia	1. Diseases of Heart	1. Diseases of the Heart
2. Tuberculosis	2. Malignant Neoplasms	2. Malignant Neoplasms
3. Diarreah/Enterirtis/ Ulcers of the Intestine	3. Vascular Lesions (Central Nervous System)	3. Cerebrovascular Diseases
4. Diseases of the Heart	4. Accidents	4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
5. Intracranial Vascular Lesions	5. Certain Disease of Early Infancy	5. Accidents
6. Nephritis	6. Influenza & Pneumonia	6. Diabetes
7. Accidents	7. Tuberculosis	7. Influenza & Pneumonia
8. Cancer/ Other Malignant Tumors	8. General Arteriosclerosis	8. Alzheimer's disease
9. Senility	9. Nephritis	9. Nephritis
10. Diphtheria	10. Diabetes Mellitus	10. Septicemia

Data Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1900-1998
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999-2003

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Life Expectancy

• In 2004, the life expectancy at birth for all races and both sexes was 77.8 years of age. For more information on life expectancy (1900-2004), click here.

Return to Text

Industry Standards or Targets:

See targets by topic for the data pages listed in the 'On Compass' Section above.

Data Tables:

General Mortality Rate (per 100,000) - Colorado & Larimer County, 2000-2005*

	Colorado		Larimer County
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
2000	27,229	783.5	1,496	742.1
2001	28,243	777.9	1,531	726.0
2002	29,157	783.4	1,554	724.6
2003	29,410	785.2	1,545	708.3
2004	28,227	709.6	1,474	641.1
2005	29,521	766.0	1,551	688.0

*Age-Adjusted

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See chart

Mortality Rates (per 100,000) by Type - Colorado & Larimer County, 2005*

	Colorado	Larimer County
Heart Disease	169	162
Cerebrovascular Disease	44	45
Cancer	161	153
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease	52	31
Accidents	44	37
Diabetes	20	22
Influenza & Pneumonia	18	14
Intentional Self-Harm	17	19
Chronic Liver Disease & Cirrhosis	9	8
Assault	4	2

*Age-Adjusted

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See chart

Mortality Rate (per 100,000) by Age Group - Larimer County, 2005*

Age (Years)	Larimer Deaths	Colorado Deaths	Larimer Population	Colorado Population	Larimer County Rate	Colorado Rate
<1	22	444	3,305	69,139	666	642
1-4	3	83	13,610	278,006	22	30
5-14	7	106	33,276	642,309	21	17
15-24	36	543	47,670	696,111	75	78
25-34	24	588	40,102	661,746	60	89
35-44	44	1,157	38,059	730,302	116	158
45-54	106	2,525	42,240	716,474	251	352
55-64	158	3,230	27,012	471,073	585	686
65-74	204	4,498	14,241	249,545	1,433	1,803
75-84	399	7,922	9,264	155,507	4,307	5,094
85+	548	8,422	3,211	52,248	17,066	16,119

*Crude Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Health Information Dataset

See chart

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