Death

Death is the cessation of physical life in a living organism or the state of the organism after that event. In almost all societies, death has one or several symbols associated with it. Common symbols of death in Western cultures include the grim reaper and the color black; conversely, in certain Eastern cultures, the color white is considered symbolic of death. The grave is a metonym for death.

Cause of death in the United States

The cause of death in certain area and certain group of ages are different according to area and each group. In 2002 in the U.S. the top 10 causes of death were:

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• Heart Disease: 696,947
• Cancer: 557,271
• Stroke: 162,672
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 124,816
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 106,742
• Diabetes: 73,249
• Influenza/Pneumonia: 65,681
• Alzheimer's disease: 58,866
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 40,974
• Septicemia: 33,865

Other notable causes of death in the United States (2002)

• Murder: 16,110
• Execution: 71
• Intentional Abortion: 1,293,000

:This number would apparently include abortions to save the life of the mother, abortions of obviously highly defective fetuses, and abortions of fetuses unlikely to reach term. Note that there is much debate as to when a fetus is declared a "human." The death of a human zygote - a one-celled combination of a sperm and an egg - is counted by some as the death of a human, and by others as simply the death of a cell.

Related Topics:
Debate - Fetus - Zygote

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Statistical data from:

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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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Death Penalty Information Center

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National Right To Life

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