Fewer Deaths: Good for Orthopedics
BY JOHN MCCORMICK, APRIL 19, 2006
Today, the National Center for Health Statistics issued a draft finding that the annual number of deaths in the U.S. dropped by nearly 50,000, or 2%, in 2004 which represents the biggest decline since World War II. The preliminary number of U.S. deaths recorded for 2004 was 2,398,343 which is nearly 50,000 less than the number of deaths recorded in 2003.
Not only did the absolute number of deaths decline dramatically, but the relative number declined dramatically as well. In fact, the estimated age-adjusted death rate, which accounts for changes in the age distribution of the population, reached a record low of 801.0 per 100,000 U.S. standard population.
Finally, the preliminary number for life expectancy reached an all time high of 77.9 years.
This is good news for orthopedics. In our market model, a good deal of our long term industry growth depends on the aging of the U.S. population which means a greater percentage of potential patients who require implants that help reduce the pain associated with degenerative conditions and osteoporosis.
