Global mortality - WHO identifies leading causes of death

According to data recently published by the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for a significant portion of deaths worldwide.  The leading cause of deaths worldwide (according to 2008 data) is ischaemic heart disease (12.8%), followed by stroke and other cerebrovascular disease (10.8%).  Also in the top ten leading causes of death were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5.8%), trachea, bronchus and lung cancers (2.4%) and diabetes mellitus (2.2%).

The following infographic illustrates the leading causes of death worldwide by broad income group, proportionally represented based on the number of deaths in 2008 within these groups. 

Source

• WHO Media Centre - Fact Sheet # 310