Atlanta – In 2011, 1 out of 5 Americans reported visiting an emergency department at least once in the previous year, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health, United States, 2012 (.pdf file) provides an overview of the country’s health based on state and federal data, and includes a special feature on emergency care.
According to CDC, falls were the most common reason for an injury-related trip to an emergency department. Other findings include:
- In 2010, 24 percent of all deaths were caused by heart disease, while 23 percent were caused by cancer.
- In 2011, 48 percent of adults did not meet 2008 federal physical activity guidelines.
- 19 percent of adults reported being cigarette smokers in 2011.
- Obesity among adults 20 and older increased to 20 percent – up from 14 percent during the periods 1988-1994 and 2007-2010.
