General Health Data: Death Statistics

About

These published reports of Tennessee death statistics provide information on overall Tennessee resident mortality for all causes of death, leading causes of death, and demographic details for selected causes of death.

Terminology

Crude mortality rate: Also referred to as simply a "rate", the number of deaths occurring during the year for a given number (usually 1,000) of residents in the indicated geographic area, regardless of the distribution of ages in the population.

Age-adjusted mortality rate: The number of deaths occurring during the year for a set number (usually 100,000) residents in the indicated geographic area with respect to the age distribution in the area's population. The mortality rate is adjusted by calculating death rates for specific age groups and weighing the reported rate in proportion to the size of each age group.

Race and ethnicity: Race and ethnicity are recorded on the Tennessee death certificate from information collected from the informant. Race and ethnicity are asked separately and an informant may describe the deceased as having identified with any of up to 15 race categories and one of five (5) Hispanic or non-Hispanic origins.

For statistical presentation, Tennessee reports a single, predominant race that is estimated from the race or races that describe the deceased and from the demographic characteristics of their county of residence. Predominant race is based on the bridged race methodology created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Ethnicity is tabulated separately from race such that counts or rates represent individuals of Hispanic origin, regardless of race.

Sex: Sex is recorded on the Tennessee death certificate from information collected from the informant and/or the physician that certifies the cause of death. Sex may be verified for selected causes of death, but is otherwise recorded as provided by vital records informants.

All-Cause Death Counts and Mortality Rates by Demographic Groups and Geographic Area

Leading Causes of Death

The most frequently occurring underlying conditions or diseases or fatal injuries in a population that can be ranked according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (CDC-NCHS).

Deaths and Mortality Rates for Selected Causes of Death