According to the most recent composite data available, the most common actual causes of death in the United States in 2002 were tobacco (435,000), poor diet and physical inactivity (400,000), alcohol consumption (85,000), microbial agents (e.g., influenza and pneumonia, 75,000), toxic agents (e.g., pollutants and asbestos, 55,000), motor vehicle accidents (43,000), firearms (29,000), sexual behavior (20,000) and illicit use of drugs (17,000).  Actual causes of death are defined as lifestyle and behaviors such as smoking and physical inactivity that contribute to America’s leading killers including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Source:  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.