Rates of Death Before Age 75 Vary Across the U.S. by Sex and Location

National strategies to improve health outcomes require knowledge of trends in local populations. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and the CDC's mortality database, investigators examined county-level changes from 1992 through 2006 in age-adjusted, all-cause mortality before age 75.

Mortality varied markedly by sex and geographic location. Although 96% of counties had reductions in male mortality, female mortality increased in 43% of counties. In multivariable models, counties in the south were most likely to see increases in female mortality. High rates of smoking as well as children living in poverty were also associated with higher female mortality.