Medical Errors Are the Third Leading Cause of Death in the US

The BMJ recently published an analysis of the leading causes of death in the US, with an emphasis on medical errors. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, with 611,000 deaths in 2013.

·         There were 585,000 deaths caused by cancer in 2013, making it the second leading cause of death.

·         Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US, with 251,000 deaths in 2013.

·         COPD is the fourth leading cause of death, with 149,000 deaths in 2013.

·         Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death with 41,000 deaths in 2013.

·         Firearms and motor vehicles each caused 34,000 deaths in 2013.

Source: BMJ, May 3, 2016