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Microbial agents among top causes of death in U.S.

Infection Control Monitor, March 25, 2004

Microbial agents such as influenza and pneumonia were among the top actual causes of death in the United States in 2000, according to CDC statistics released March 15.

Topping the list were tobacco (435,000), poor diet and physical inactivity (400,000), alcohol consumption (85,000), microbial agents (e.g., influenza and pneumonia, 75,000), toxic agents (e.g., pollutants and asbestos, 55,000), motor vehicle accidents (43,000), firearms (29,000), sexual behavior (20,000), and illicit use of drugs (17,000).

The CDC defines actual causes of death as relating to lifestyle and behavior, such as smoking and physical inactivity, that contribute to the nation's leading killers, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

The CDC's strategy for fighting infectious diseases includes building domestic and global capacity for recognizing and responding to infectious disease threats. The agency recently established seven domestic and global sentinel surveillance networks linking healthcare providers to detect and monitor emerging diseases.

In addition, overuse of antibiotics has become a serious problem leading to antimicrobial resistance. The CDC began a campaign last year to lower the rate of antibiotic use.

For more information, click http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/factsheets/death_causes2000.htm here.

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