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Facts On Dying:
Policy relevant data on care at the end of life
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USA and STATE STATISTICS
(All statistics are adjusted for age and gender)

 

In 1989, the majority of Americans (64.1%) who died from a chronic illness died in an acute care hospital. While this remains the most common site of death for this population, the proportion of hospital deaths has been on the decline. In 1997, the proportion had dropped to 51.8% and by 2001 it had dropped even further to 49.2%. Alternatively, there have been increases in the percentage of people who died at home and in nursing homes. It is important to note that despite nationwide trends, there are still substantial differences between states (click on maps below to view a larger map in a new window).

PLEASE NOTE: We have recently updated the data and modified the format of this site to make it easier to use. Please see What's New for a full description of all our changes.

Proportion of Deaths Occurring at Home

  1989 1997 2001
US Adjusted Rate 15.9 22.5 23.4

Proportion of Deaths Occurring in a Hospital

  1989 1997 2001
US Adjusted Rate 62.3 51.7 49.5

Proportion of Deaths Occurring in a Nursing Home

  1989 1997 2001
US Adjusted Rate 19.2 23.0 23.2


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This web site is published by the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at the Brown Medical School. For further information, contact the webmaster via e-mail at factsondying@brown.edu or Dr. Joan Teno at Joan_Teno@brown.edu. Last edited March 19, 2004.