A friend sent me an article listing the major causes of death in the United States in 1907. I did a little research to verify. Here's what I found for 1907. They were:
Pneumonia and influenza
Tuberculosis
Heart disease
Diarrhea
Stroke
Kidney disease
Accidents
Cancer
Premature Birth
Senility
Today (or within the last few years), the leaders are:
Heart disease
Cancer
Stroke
Chronic lower respiratory diseases (emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
Accidents
Diabetes
Pneumonia and influenza
Alzheimer's disease
Kidney disease
Septicemia (systemic infection)
The shift shows, in part, progress in the use of antibiotics. In part, it shows the effect of changes in longevity. Between 1900 and 2004, life expectancy for males went from 48.3 year to 75.2 years; for females from 46.3 years to 80.4 years.
