Surveys show most Americans would rather die at home than in a hospital. Now, a new government study suggests more and more people are getting their wish.
The researchers studied the deaths of patients admitted to a sampling of hospitals. They determined that hospital deaths accounted for 29% of U.S. deaths in 2010, down from more than 32% in 2000.
Meanwhile, other reports indicate deaths in the home grew from 23% to 27% over the decade. Deaths in nursing homes held steady at around 21%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the figures Wednesday. CDC officials said the growing availability of hospice care may be one factor for fewer hospital deaths.
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