Homicide no longer a leading cause of death in U.S.

Vomit causes more deaths than murder

For the first time in nearly half a century, homicide has fallen off the list of the nation's top 15 causes of death, according to the Associated Press.
So, you’re worried about walking down the street at night? More people die in this country as a result of aspirating their own vomit—breathing the vomit into their lungs—than by homicide.
The 2010 list, released by the Center for Disease Control, reflects at least two major trends: Murders are down, and deaths from certain diseases are on the rise as the population ages, health authorities said.
Homicide was overtaken at No. 15 by pneumonitis, seen mainly in people 75 and older. It happens when food or vomit goes down the windpipe and causes deadly damage to the lungs.
This is the first time since 1965 that homicide failed to make the list, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported the Associated Press.
The government has been keeping a list of the top causes of death since 1949. Homicide has historically ranked fairly low. It was as high as 10th in 1989 and in 1991 through 1993, when the nation saw a surge in youth homicides related to the crack epidemic.
According to the Associated Press, murders have been declining nationally since 2006, according to FBI statistics. Falling homicide rates have been celebrated in several major cities, including New York City, Detroit and Washington.


To read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/11/v-print/2584440/murder-not-a-top-cause-of-death.html#storylink=cpy