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Texas Value:
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
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Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files
US Value: 8,659
Top State(s): Hawaii: 6,413
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 13,781
Definition: Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
Data Source and Years: CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2020
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Premature death is a measure of years of potential life lost due to death occurring before the age of 75. Deaths at younger ages contribute more to the premature death rate than deaths occurring closer to age 75. For example, a person dying at age 70 would lose five years of potential life, whereas a child dying at age five would lose 70 years of potential life.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics WISQARS Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) Report, unintentional injury, cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, suicide, homicide and liver disease were, in order, the leading causes of years of potential life lost before age 75 in 2020. Suicide and drug deaths have been increasing steadily since 2000, contributing to the rise in premature death.
Risk factors for premature death include obesity, smoking and exposure to environmental hazards such as reduced air quality. Risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and physical inactivity, are also risk factors for premature death. Occupational hazards and certain behaviors, like not wearing seatbelts or motorcycle helmets and misusing drugs, can increase the risk of unintentional injuries and premature death. Social factors such as low education, poverty, racial segregation and inadequate social support also contribute to premature death. While not the direct cause of death, social factors can play a role in how and why a person dies.
Populations at higher risk for premature death include:
The conditions that contribute to premature death differ from community to community and local solutions need to be found that account for specific health needs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20-40% of premature deaths are preventable. Lifestyle changes can help prevent premature deaths by reducing risk factors. These may include changes in diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and tobacco use, as well as medical treatment for chronic conditions such as depression, diabetes or hypertension.
The CDC has documented several strategies for reducing health disparities, including:
Intervention strategies that encourage individuals to seek preventive medical care and achieve healthy lifestyles can be effective in reducing premature death by:
Increasing access to mental health and primary care for currently underserved minority populations is critical for decreasing premature death rates. More research is needed to determine effective methods of increasing access to behavioral health and primary care for racial and ethnic minority populations.
One of the overarching goals of Healthy People 2030 is to “attain healthy, thriving lives and well-being free of preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death.” While Healthy People 2030 does not have a specific goal for reducing premature death, it does set goals for many contributors to premature death, including reducing cancer, unintentional injuries, smoking, obesity, heart disease and maternal, infant, child and adolescent deaths.
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America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.