More Americans Die at Home Than at Hospitals, Says CDC

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)

Most Americans would rather die in the comfort of their home than a hospital room.

And according to a new government study, more and more people are getting their wish.

Researchers studied the deaths of patients admitted to a sampling of hospitals over a ten-year period. From the data collection they determined that hospital deaths accounted for 29 percent of U.S. deaths in 2010, down from more than 32 percent in 2000.

While the percentage of hospital deaths for those under age 65 increased from 9 percent to 27 percent, this percentage for those over age 65 decreased by 3 percent over the decade.

Meanwhile, other reports indicate deaths in the home grew from 23 percent to 27 percent over the decade. Deaths in nursing homes held steady at around 21 percent.

Despite hospital deaths hovering at a new low around 700,000 in 2010, the number of total hospitalizations in the past ten years has increased by 11 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the figures Wednesday. According to CDC officials, the growing availability of hospice care may be one factor contributing to the decline in hospital deaths.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.