Israeli mortality rates lower than most, cancer leading cause of death

The death rate (according to population demographics) is lower here than in the US, Canada and Europe.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Updated: MAY 18, 2017 01:49
Israeli fitness buffs gather in Tel Aviv to hold the biggest Pilates class ever in Israel (photo credit: Lahav Harkov)
Israeli fitness buffs gather in Tel Aviv to hold the biggest Pilates class ever in Israel
(photo credit: Lahav Harkov)
Cancer, as it has been since 1999, is the leading cause of death in Israel among both men and women. In 2014, malignancies killed 26% of all who died and were the primary cause of death for women between the ages of 15 and 74 and in men aged 25 and over.
The annual Health Ministry report on the causes of death showed that cardiovascular disease remains the second-most common cause, responsible for 16% of cases; it killed more women from the age of 75 and older and was the second-most common killer of men over the age of 45.
The third-most common cause of death in women was vascular brain disease (stroke), a bit higher than complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
In men, diabetes complications were third and stroke was fourth.
Accidents were the most common cause of death in boys and men between the ages of 15 and 24 and the second- most common in boys between five and 14, the ministry said. In girls, accidents were the second-most common cause in girls and women between five and 24. Suicide is the second-most common cause of death between the ages of 25 to 44 and the third between 15 and 24 in both genders.
Congenital defects and problems connected to birth were the leading cause of death in ages 0 to 4. In the past decade, there has been a decline in the rate of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (caused by smoking), heart disease, stroke and accidents but a rise in sepsis, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, pneumonia, complications of the flu and inhalation of liquids or solids into the lungs.
The death rate (according to population demographics) is lower here than in the US, Canada and Europe. Mortality rates in Israel are the second-lowest for men in 23 countries (only Switzerland is lower) and sixth among women (higher than Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy and Canada).