DAILY VARIATION IN USA MORTALITY1

Abstract
Daily variation in each of several major causes of death in the United States during the period 1962–1966 is described by annual graphs showing deaths chronologically and by frequency distributions of deaths per day. The most significant sporadic factors affecting mortality in the 5 years studied appeared to be the influenza epidemic in 1963 and the unusually hot weather occurring in mid-1966. Deaths were also studied by day of the week and by holiday. Significant and consistent variations were found for violent deaths and those due to coronary heart disease.