Leading Causes of Death in Rural Oklahoma, 1999 - 2014

The bump chart below shows the leading causes of death in rural Oklahoma from 1999 to 2014. Heart disease and cancer are responsible for over half of all deaths in rural Oklahoma. In 1999, over 37% of deaths in rural Oklahoma were attributable to heart disease. In 2014, 31% of deaths were caused by heart disease. During the same period, deaths due to cancer remained consistent at 23% of the rural population. Chronic lower respiratory diseases accounted for 5% of rural deaths in 1999. By 2014, the number jumped to almost 9% of deaths. Alzheimer's disease went from 1% of deaths in 1999 to almost 4% in 2014. Deaths dues to accidents and diabetes also increased from 1999 to 2014. The proportion of the population dying due to cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) and influenza and pneumonia decreased over the 16 year period depicted on the chart. Data for this chart was obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health's OK2SHARE Vital Statistics website.