Why Monitor the Leading Causes of Death?
Understanding the leading causes of death in Whatcom County is essential to identifying and addressing health issues that affect length and quality of life. Recognizing the most significant health challenges, Whatcom County residents face, particularly those related to preventable diseases and premature deaths, can help develop targeted interventions to reduce these risks, ultimately helping our community live longer, healthier lives.
Leading Causes of Death
Learn more:
- Leading Causes of Death, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Preventable Premature Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties, United States, 2010–2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024.
Below are a series of dashboards providing further detail and analysis for some of the leading causes of death in Whatcom County. These causes of death are highlighted because they are a source of significant mortality or morbidity or public concern within our community.
Major Cardiovascular Disease Death Rate
Why this is important: Major cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death globally and nationally1. They have been the number one cause of death in Whatcom County since 2011. Risk factors include high blood pressure, being overweight, high blood cholesterol, family history, and smoking2. Tracking the death rate from these diseases is crucial as it helps identify trends, assess the effectiveness of prevention and treatment, and allocate resources to improve cardiovascular health.
Definition: Number of deaths from major cardiovascular diseases per 100,000 people
Trend: The mortality rate from major cardiovascular disease has been declining steadily over the last 20 years.
Geography: Whatcom county had about the same mortality rate from major cardiovascular disease as Washington state in 2022.
Disparities: Disparities exist in Whatcom County for deaths from major cardiovascular disease among race and sex. Hover over the data to explore more.
Learn more:
- What is Cardiovascular Disease? American Heart Association.
- Preventing Heart Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Understand Your Risk for Heart Disease, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
- Heart Disease Deaths, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- American Heart Association
Cancer Death Rate
Why this is important: Deaths from Cancer (malignant neoplasia) provide insight into the burden of cancer within a population. Tracking this rate enables assessment of the success of interventions in prevention, early detection, and treatment. Cancers (e.g., lung, breast, prostate, liver, colorectal, etc.) are the second leading cause of death in Whatcom County. The Healthy People 2030 national target is 122.7 per 100,000.
Definition: Number of deaths from cancer per 100,000 people
Trend: The mortality rate from cancer in Whatcom county has been declining from 2003 to 2022.
Geography: Whatcom county had a lower mortality rate from cancer than Washington state in 2022.
Disparities: Disparities exist in Whatcom County for deaths from cancer among race and sex. Hover over the data to explore more.
Learn more:
- Cancer Risk and Prevention, American Cancer Society.
- About Cancer, National Cancer Institute.
- Cancer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- American Cancer Society
Alzheimer’s Disease Death Rate
Why this is important: Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is progressive and impacts the part of the brain that controls memory, thought, behavior, and language. Tracking and monitoring the death rate from Alzheimer’s disease is crucial to understanding the toll of this neurodegenerative condition on public health. Monitoring this rate allows assessment of efforts in prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Definition: Number of deaths from Alzheimer’s disease per 100,000 people
Trend: The mortality rate from Alzheimer’s disease in Whatcom County has not changed significantly in the last 20 years.
Geography: Whatcom county had about the same mortality rate from Alzheimer’s disease as Washington state in 2022.
Disparities: There is a disparity in mortality from diabetes between male and female Whatcom county residents. Hover over the data to discover more.
Learn more:
- Dementia Support Northwest
- Dementia Road Map: A Guide for Family and Care Partners, WA State Dementia Action Collaborative, 2023.
- Alzheimer’s and dementia, National Institute on Aging.
- Alzheimer’s Association
Diabetes Death Rate
Why this is important: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that disrupts the body’s ability to convert food into energy, either due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin use. Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune response and is not preventable, whereas type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modifications. Gestational diabetes develops in some pregnant women and typically resolves after childbirth. Tracking the diabetes death rate helps gauge the effectiveness of prevention efforts and healthcare interventions aimed at managing this widespread condition.
Definition: Number of deaths from diabetes mellitus per 100,000 people
Trend: The mortality rate from diabetes mellitus in Whatcom County has not changed significantly in the last 20 years.
Geography: Whatcom county had a lower mortality rate from diabetes than Washington state in 2022.
Disparities: There is a disparity in mortality from diabetes between male and female Whatcom county residents. Hover over the data to discover more.
Learn more:
- Diabetes Prevention Program, Whatcom Family YMCA.
- Diabetes Prevention, Mount Baker Foundation.
- Diabetes Data Supplement, WA State Department of Health, 2019.
- American Diabetes Association
Suicide Death Rate
Why this is important: The suicide death rate is a critical indicator of mental health and societal well-being. Monitoring this rate provides insights into the prevalence and impact of suicidal behavior within a population. Understanding trends in suicide rates helps guide mental health policies, interventions, and support systems aimed at prevention and improving overall mental health outcomes. The rate of suicide attempts is greater than the rate of suicide deaths3. The Healthy People 2030 national target is 12.8 per 100,000.
Definition: Number of deaths from suicide per 100,000 people
Call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Chat at 988lifeline.org
Trend: The mortality rate from suicide in Whatcom County has been increasing significantly overall since 2003.
Geography: Whatcom county had a higher mortality rate from suicide than Washington state in 2022.
Disparities: There is a disparity in mortality from suicide between male and female Whatcom county residents and among age groups. Hover over the data to discover more.
Learn more:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Suicide Prevention, WA State Department of Health.
- 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services.
- Suicide, National Institute of Mental Health.
Additional Resources
- Death Data, WA State Department of Health.
- Deaths and Mortality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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