Healthy living: Leading causes of death in Cobb County

What is the most likely cause of death for Cobb County residents?

According to Atlanta Regional Commission, Cobb County has metro Altanta's third-lowest mortality rate, falling behind Gwinnett and Forsyth. But there are still some threats to healthy living that residents should look out for.

Cobb County's mortality rate is dominated by three main causes: cardiovascular issues, cancer and external causes.

The ARC utilized Georgia Department of Public Health data to analyze causes of death, birth rates and teen pregnancy rates across 20 metro Atlanta counties. Visit the ARC website to see the complete interactive dashboard.

Cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease have been the leading causes of death for metro Atlantans since 1997. However, age-adjusted death rates for both whites and blacks have dropped.

Cobb County was also recently ranked the seventh healthiest county in metro Atlanta, according to annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps project.

Mortality rates by cause of death in Cobb County in 2014 (number of deaths per 100,000 population)

1. Cardiovascular (143.1)

2. Cancer (130.5)

3. External Causes (51.4)

4. Respiratory (48.8)

5. Mental and behavioral disorders (44.7)

Find more information from the Atlanta Regional Commission here.

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