Deaths Related to Diabetes

In Virginia in 2006, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death. This statistic is misleading because diabetes deaths are more often coded as a 'contributing' (any cause) than as an 'underlying' (primary cause). Additionally, about 65 percent of diabetes deaths in Virginia in 2006 that were coded as a secondary cause were attributable as 'Major Cardiovascular Disease' as the primary cause. In terms of diabetes death (mortality) rates, approximately every 22 out of every 100,000 people die from diabetes as primary cause and approximately 66 out of every 100,000 persons die from diabetes as a secondary cause.

Mortality Rates for Diabetes as the Primary Cause and Any Cause of Death in Virginia, 1999-2006

• The majority of deaths due to diabetes are listed as a contributing (any) cause. This rate has decreased from 1999 (73.6 per 100,000) to 2006 (66.0 per 100,000).

• In Virginia, males have had slightly higher diabetes mortality rates than females. This disparity became more pronounced in 2006, where the male rate was 25.8 per 100,000 and the female rate was 18.8 per 100,000.

Mortality Rates for Diabetes as the Primary Cause of Death by Race and Gender for Virginia, 1999-2006

• Blacks (both males and females) consistently have about 2.5 times the mortality rates due to diabetes than whites: 45.0 per 100,000 vs. 17.8 per 100,000, respectively in 2006.

Mortality Rates for Diabetes as the Primary Cause of Death by Race, Gender, and Age Group in Virginia, 2006

• Mortality rates tend to increase with age across all races and ethnicities.

• Blacks have significantly higher mortality rates in all age categories than whites and 'other' races/ethnicities.

• Black males and black females were more likely to die from diabetes in middle age groups (55-74) than their white counterparts in 2006.

Healthy People 2010 Objective:
(5-5) Reduce the diabetes death rate to 45 deaths per 100,000 and (5-6) reduce the death rate to 8.8 per 1,000 persons with diabetes.

Sources: VDH, Division of Health Statistics, 2006
Data Note: Rates are age-adjusted per 100,000 population using 2000 U.S. Census data. Rates are not available for other racial and ethnic groups due to insufficient sample size; thus, Hispanics, Asians, American Indian/Alaskan Natives, and all others are coded as "Other".

Diabetes Mortality Rates by Virginia Health District, 2006

• Diabetes mortality rates for contributing cause of death were significantly higher in the Portsmouth (51.0/100,000) and Western Tidewater (43.4/100,000) health districts than any other district in the state.
  • Health districts with the highest diabetes mortality rates were:
  • Portsmouth
  • Western Tidewater
  • Cumberland Plateau
  • Pittsylvania/Danville
  • Richmond

  Diabetes Mortality per 100,000 by Virginia Health District, 2006

  Virginia Health District	Prevalence Rate
  Alexandria	10.3
  Alleghany	17.3
  Arlington	13.5
  Central Shenandoah	26.1
  Central Virginia	21.8
  Chesapeake	25.8
  Chesterfield	21.9
  Crater	16.9
  Cumberland Plateau	35.2
  Eastern Shore	32.4
  Fairfax	24.3
  Hampton	13.3
  Chickahominy (formerly Hanover)	22.7
  Henrico	20.6
  Lenowisco	33.8
  Lord Fairfax	20.6
  Loudon	17.6
  Mount Rogers	28.8
  New River	23.5
  Norfolk	26.4
  Peninsula	18.6
  Piedmont	25.8
  Pittsylvania/Danville	35.0
  Portsmouth	51.0
  Prince William	20.5
  Rappahannock	21.5
  Rappahannock/Rapidan	23.8
  Richmond	34.2
  Roanoke	26.3
  Southside	18.0
  Thomas Jefferson	17.4
  Three Rivers	18.4
  Virginia Beach	15.8
  West Piedmont	26.5
  Western Tidewater	43.4
  State Average:	21.8

  Sources: VDH, Division of Health Statistics, 2006
  Data Note: Rates are age-adjusted per 100,000 population using 2000 U.S. Census data.

  

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  Diabetes Prevention and Control Project
  109 Governor St, DCDPC 10th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
  Phone: (804) 864-7877 Fax Phone: (804) 864-7880

  Email: Diabetes@vdh.virginia.gov

  

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