Statistics Iceland has published data on causes of death 2009. The data are based on the classification of death certificates of all persons with a legal domicile in Iceland who died in 2009.
In 2009, 2,002 persons died, 969 females and 1,033 males. The main categories of causes of death have not changed significantly from previous years. Due to the small population there are, however, random fluctuations that have to be considered when comparing annual changes.
Most persons (729) died in 2009 because of diseases of the circulatory system, of whom 350 (146 females and 204 males) died due to ischaemic heart diseases, and 159 (84 females and 75 males) because of cerebrovascular diseases.
Malignant neoplasms or cancer caused the death of 562 persons (252 females and 310 males), with lung cancer causing the death of 133 persons (69 females and 64 males). In total, 56 persons died of cancer of lymphoid or haematopoietic tissue and 50 of cancer of the colon, 19 females and 31 male. Thirty six females died of breast cancer and 53 males of prostate cancer.
In 2009, 175 persons died of diseases of the respiratory system, of whom 102 died of chronic lower respiratory diseases (58 females and 44 males).
External causes caused the death of 118 persons in 2009, 39 females and 79 males. The largest category was accidents with 65 deaths (25 females and 40 males), of whom traffic accidents caused the death of 10 persons. Thirty six persons died in 2009 by their own hand, 7 females and 29 males. That is a similar rate to previous years.
In 2009, 140 persons died of avoidable causes of death. ‘Avoidable’ is loosely defined as important causes of death that can be avoided by changing lifestyles or health policies.
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