CDC: Death rates for flu, HIV, heart disease and diabetes decline in 2014

U.S. death rates for flu and pneumonia, HIV, heart disease and diabetes declined in 2014, according to provisional estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Age-adjusted death rates for 2014 fell 5% for flu and pneumonia, 5% for HIV, 2% for heart disease and 1% for diabetes. Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and falls in older adults increased 8% and 3%, respectively, while the death rate for stroke was similar to that in 2013. CDC plans to update the estimates each quarter as new provisional data become available.