What’s measured This section focuses on the overall mortality rates (deaths per 100,000 population) for the region and for the fourteen counties, as well as mortality rates for heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes for death in the United States, for 2003 and 2004. The data are from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services State Center for Health Statistics and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The regional indicators are calculated as un-weighted averages of county rates. Why it’s measured The mortality rate and the composition of the mortality rate (by cause of death) provide key information about major health challenges facing the region. The heart disease mortality rate offers insight into stress levels as well as prevention, screening programs and treatment related to the cardiovascular health of the population. Similarly, the cancer mortality rate points to exposure (voluntarily and involuntarily) to carcinogens as well as prevention, screening and treatment. Indicator results In 2004, the average county mortality rate in the Charlotte region was 921.5 deaths per 100,000 persons. The mortality rate decreased from the previous year (933.6 in 2003). The average county mortality rate in the region was higher than the mortality rates for North Carolina (897.6 deaths per 100,000 persons) and South Carolina (890 deaths per 100,000 persons). Gaston (1,026.0), Chester (990.0) and Anson (979.3) counties had the highest mortality rates for 2004. Counties with the lowest mortality rates for 2004 were Mecklenburg (845.3) and Union (861.1). The region’s 2004 average county heart disease mortality rate was 257.2 deaths per 100,000 persons, down from the 2003 rate of 265.6, but still higher than the rates for North Carolina (233.9) and South Carolina (221.2). Chester (302.7), Anson (287.8) and Stanly (283.5) counties had the highest heart disease mortality rates for 2004. Counties with the lowest heart disease mortality rates for 2004 were Mecklenburg (198.0), York (217.1) and Catawba (221.2). With cancer, the 2004 average county mortality rate was 190.4 deaths per 100,000 persons, lower than rates for North Carolina (197.4) and South Carolina (194.7), and a decrease from the 2003 level of 195.4. Cleveland (205.7) and Gaston (215.4) counties had the highest cancer mortality rates for 2004. Counties with the lowest cancer mortality rates for 2004 were Anson (179.8), Chester (177.3) and Lancaster (166.8). Evaluation The region’s higher rates of death due to heart disease than North and South Carolina may say something about the prevalence of the heart-disease causes in the region, which can include heredity or other physical factors and environmental or lifestyle factors. Or, it may speak to prevention and screening efforts as well as the ability of regional health-care providers to diagnose and treat heart disease. At the least, the data suggest more can be done to put the region’s heart health in line with that of North and South Carolina. The region’s cancer mortality rate was slightly better than the rates for North and South Carolina. Again the data could implicate the causes of cancer as well as the ability of doctors in the region to identify and treat cancer. Connections The mortality rates have important connections to other measures of demographic data. Higher mortality rates may suggest an older or higher-risk population, if diagnosis or treatment and access to such services are adequate, or they may suggest a population in need of better health care education. Environmental causes of death are contributors to mortality rates, as is poverty.
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