Heart disease is the #1 reason for deaths in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 611,105 people died of heart disease in 2013. This is huge but this is just the national average. If you look at individual states, you will get a different picture about what’s responsible for people’s demise. But before we continue, understand that this is not a list of the most common causes of death in each state. For example, although Nevada is listed beneath the ominous sounding “legal intervention”, it does not mean that most people in Nevada are killed by police officers. It only means that Nevada is above the national average. In other words, it stands out. Since there are only 23 notable distinctions, for numbers 1 and 2 we revert to the national averages on which this list is based. These are the 25 most distinctive causes of death in each American state.
Tuberculosis
Source: cdc.gov, Image: commons.wikimedia.org State(s): Texas
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. Although it used to be rare in developed countries it has been on the rise again in recent years.
Meningococcal Infection
Source: cdc.gov, Image: commons.wikimedia.org State(s): Washington, Missouri
Meningococci are bacteria that can cause serious infections, the most common being meningitis.
Septicemia
Source: cdc.gov, Image: commons.wikimedia.org State(s): New Jersey
Septicemia is bacteria in the blood that often occurs with severe infections.
Syphilis
Source: cdc.gov, Image: commons.wikimedia.org State(s): Louisiana
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria that can affect both men and women.
HIV
Source: cdc.gov, Image: commons.wikimedia.org State(s): Florida, Washington D.C.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It kills or damages the cells of the immune system. AIDS is the most advanced stage.
