Major Causes of Death in China

Authors:
  • PWPeter D Wagner
    Peter D Wagner
  • GVGiovanni Viegi
    Giovanni Viegi
  • CLCarlos M Luna
    Carlos M Luna
  • YFYoshinosuke Fukuchi
    Yoshinosuke Fukuchi
  • PKPaul A Kvale
    Paul A Kvale
  • ASAsma El Sony
    Asma El Sony
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Abstract
The epidemiologic analysis of deaths in China by He et al. (Sept. 15 issue)1 suggests a change in pattern toward that in Western societies: heart disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular disease are now listed as the top three causes of death. However, respiratory diseases are clearly underrepresented in their report, because of the way the causes of death were classified. The conclusions of the authors may perpetuate the chronic underrecognition of lung diseases and lessen the pressure on governments to promote their prevention and management. Simply acknowledging (in the legend to Figure 1 of the article) that “chronic pulmonary heart disease . . . is usually caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]” is insufficient. Those who read the article will focus on heart disease, cancer, and stroke, because these are what the authors conclude are the major causes of death.

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