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Mortality DeterminantsMortality Determinants
Overall Global Leading Cause of Death
- Ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) – Still the #1 cause of death worldwide.
- Followed by: Stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory infections, and cancer (e.g., lung, liver, colorectal).
Breakdown by Category
By Age
| Age Group | Leading Cause(s) of Death |
|---|---|
| Infants (<1) | Neonatal conditions, birth complications, infections |
| Children (1–14) | Accidents (injuries), infections (low-income countries), cancers (e.g., leukemia) |
| Youth (15–24) | Road injuries, suicide, homicide (varies by country) |
| Adults (25–44) | Injuries (road, drug overdose), suicide, HIV/AIDS (in some countries), heart disease |
| Middle Age (45–64) | Heart disease, cancer (esp. lung, colorectal, breast), liver disease |
| Older Adults (65+) | Heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease |
By Gender/Sex
| Group | Leading Cause of Death |
|---|---|
| Cisgender Men | Heart disease, cancer (lung, liver), accidents |
| Cisgender Women | Heart disease, cancer (breast, lung), stroke |
| Transgender Individuals | Elevated risk from violence, suicide, and HIV/AIDS (especially trans women of color); limited large-scale data |
| Non-binary | Insufficient population-specific data, but risks often parallel those of trans populations or assigned sex at birth |
By Race/Ethnicity (Example: United States)
| Group | Top Causes | Unique Issues |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | Heart disease, cancer, drug overdose | |
| Black or African American | Heart disease, cancer, higher stroke risk | |
| Hispanic/Latino | Heart disease, cancer, diabetes | |
| Native American | Accidents, liver disease, diabetes, suicide | |
| Asian American | Cancer (leading cause), stroke, heart disease |
Note: Disparities arise from systemic inequalities, access to care, and social determinants of health.
By Sexuality (LGBTQ+)
- Limited global data, but in many regions:
- Higher risk of suicide, mental health disorders, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS (especially among MSM and trans women).
- Discrimination and healthcare avoidance contribute to worsened outcomes.
- Common causes of death still include heart disease and cancer, with higher rates of premature death linked to stigma and healthcare disparities.
By Geographic Region
| Region | Leading Cause(s) |
|---|---|
| High-Income Countries | Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke |
| Low- and Middle-Income Countries | Infectious diseases (TB, HIV), maternal mortality, stroke, heart disease |
| Africa | HIV/AIDS, malaria, lower respiratory infections |
| Asia | Stroke, heart disease, chronic lung disease |
| North America | Heart disease, cancer, drug overdose (opioid crisis) |
| Europe | Heart disease, stroke, cancer |
| Latin America | Violence (in younger adults), heart disease, diabetes |
By Profession
- Agricultural/farm workers: High injury rates, pesticide exposure, suicide
- Construction workers: Falls, injuries, exposure to toxins (e.g., asbestos)
- Healthcare workers: Infectious disease, burnout, mental health risks
- Military/first responders: Combat-related injuries, PTSD, suicide
- Office workers: Sedentary lifestyle risks (heart disease, diabetes)
Occupation-linked deaths often relate to environmental exposures, physical risks, or psychological stressors.
Conclusion:
Across almost all demographics, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, followed by cancer, stroke, and—in certain populations—accidents, suicide, or infectious diseases. However, the underlying causes (social, economic, political) differ significantly based on identity, geography, and profession.
Would you like this formatted into a chart, infographic, or specific to a country or report you’re working on?
Three rules for identifying abnormal child sexual behavioursThree rules for identifying abnormal child sexual behaviours
Retrieved and edited 06/12/2021 from “Voice of Experience: Three rules for identifying abnormal child sexual behaviors” by Gregory K. Moffatt, a veteran counsellor with more than 30 years experience. If you are a survivor of sexual trauma at any age, I encourage you not to read this article.
From the perspective of Moffatt’s professional experience, childhood sexual behaviours can be grouped into three categories: 1. normal behaviours, 2. behaviours that are not normal but not unusual, and 3. behaviours that are abnormal or statistically rare. For the purpose of this post, I will be replacing the word “normal” with “natural” and/or “common” moving forward.
Rule No. 1: Natural or common sexual behaviours in children are never forced. The exploration is mutual. While one child likely had the idea first, both children must participate freely. This doesn’t mean that two children might willingly agree to engage in abnormal sexual behaviours, however, therefore read the next to rules for clarification.
Rule No. 2: Natural or common sexual behaviours in children are never painful. Children who behave within cultural and developmental norms will stop what they are doing when they realise they have caused pain.
Rule No. 3: Natural or common sexual behaviour in children is never invasive. Natural childhood curiosity does not include inserting objects or one’s own body parts into the cavities of others — anus, vagina, mouth, etc.
I’m unsure why Moffatt didn’t make this a 4th rule – he did add that most of the time, this type of childhood behaviour occurs between children of similar age. It is highly unusual for a young child to sexually engage with a teen without violating one of the three rules above. That behaviour definitely calls for further investigation. And, certainly, any sexual interaction between an adult and a child is cause for mandated reporting.