At least it's not homicide!

PBS published a study that analyzed the most common cause of death in each state. The study also examined causes of death in states that surpassed the national average.

Heart disease was particularly high in 12 states: Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Maryland, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

Overdose/poisoning overtook the national average in six states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Homicide, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease surpassed national averages in five states each: Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina for homicide; Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and Hawaii for suicide; Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota for alcoholic liver disease.

In Texas, however, people are suffering from a surprising killer: infection.

Septicemia, also known as blood poisoning, claimed an average of 16.7 lives per 100,000 people in 2014. The national average number of deaths by septicemia is 10.7 per 100,000.

Septicemia happens when bacteria from an infection in another part of the body enters the bloodstream. Things like urinary tract infections and pneumonia can cause septicemia. If septicemia goes untreated, it turns into sepsis, which is an inflammation of organs that can cause blood clots and organ failure.

We may not know the reason behind this spike in septicemia, but the best way to prevent it is to go to the doctor if you feel any of the symptoms after having an infection in your organs.

Map of causes of death in America
Stateline
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