Leading Causes of Deaths in Mecklenburg County

By Kerry Burch

The deceitful marketing campaigns promoting tobacco as a harmless indulgence are thankfully a thing of the past, and the health risks associated with smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are now undeniable. A review of health data at the local, state, and national level gives a better understanding of the magnitude of these health risks. This information can be critical to tobacco prevention efforts and policy development.

To the right is a chart listing the top ten leading causes of death for residents of Mecklenburg County, residents of North Carolina, as well as national figures. Tobacco use is associated with four of the top 10 leading causes of death (SOTCH, 2008). With regard to cancer deaths, smoking can cause not only lung cancer but also cancers of the bladder, oral cavity, larynx (voice box), esophagus, cervix, kidney, lung, and pancreas. Smokers are roughly two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers, and have nearly double the risk of stroke (CDC). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the sixth leading cause of death in Mecklenburg County but ranks as the fourth leading cause of death nationally. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD.

While tobacco use is responsible for a great deal of morbidity and mortality, there is evidence that rates of tobacco use are falling in Mecklenburg County. The 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey shows that 13.1% of adults age 18 and older currently smoke. This is down from 16.7% in 2007 (NC SCHS). Smoking rates for Mecklenburg continue to be lower than state and national rates (SOTCH, 2008). The trend is similar for youth age 17 and younger; rates are falling and are lower than both state and national rates.

There are still many opportunities for prevention in Mecklenburg County but we can celebrate the programs, policies, and individual commitments that have lowered our rates of smoking and improved the health of our community.