What are the leading causes of death in Utah?

The leading causes of death vary among age groups; older people are more likely to die in general, and more likely to succumb to illness than accidents. Accidents include accidental poisonings, or accidental drug overdoses, and motor vehicle accidents. For people over 45, the leading causes of death are heart disease and cancer. Accidents make up a larger share of the deaths of people under 45, accounting for 30% of total deaths in people ages 18 to 44. Accidental drug overdoses make up 16% of total deaths in this age group. In children ages 1 to 17, accidents account for 31% of deaths.