What is the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide?

Now, if you are a Christian, I’m sure you will quickly answer, “sin.”  That is correct.  Without the fall of Adam and the penalty of death being imposed, people would live eternally.  We thank God for the gift of eternal, spiritual life, but there remains physical death.

The Leading Cause of Physical Death?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. Six out of 10 (61%) of all unintended pregnancies and 3 out of 10 (29%) of all pregnancies end in induced abortion [1].

Abortion deaths far surpass deaths by other causes. The CDC’s 2022 data [2] shows leading causes of death as”

• Heart disease: 702,880
• Cancer: 608,371
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 227,039
• COVID-19: 186,552
• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 165,393
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 147,382
• Alzheimer’s disease: 120,122
• Diabetes: 101,209
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 57,937
• Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis: 54,803

Doctors strive to treat the cause of those deaths and prolong life, but abortion is a willful choice by the mother and the doctor to end life, and it’s a violation of “first not harm.”

What Does God Say?

As Christians, we understand that man was created in the image of God and that human life is sacred.  We also know that God is the giver and taker of life. 

Deu 32:39  “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.”

All human life is in the hands of our Creator.  We all know people who have survived accidents or diseases that statistically should not have — and those who have died when it was expected they would survive. God numbers our days (Job 14:5, Psa 39:4, 90:12, 139:16), and human life must be revered and protected, especially that of a helpless preborn.

As Christians, we must stand firm and proclaim the sanctity of human life.

National Sanctity of Human Life Day

National Sanctity of Human Life Day is an observance established by several U.S. Presidents who opposed abortion. President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed this day on January 13, 1984, designating January 22 as a day to recognize the lives of unborn children.

Reagan proclaimed the National Sanctity of Human Life Day annually during his presidency, as did George H. W. Bush, who succeeded him. Bill Clinton dropped the proclamation, George W. Bush reinstated it, Barack Obama reinstated it, Donald Trump reinstated it, and, of course, Joe Biden dropped it.  

We can now look forward to the reinstatement of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day by Donald Trump.  

Note: Christians observe National Sanctity of Human Life Day on the Sunday preceding January 22nd. This year, it will be on January 19th, the day before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Therefore, President Trump will not be able to issue a proclamation (unless he issues one on the actual day, January 22nd). So, please take a few minutes and read his last proclamation before leaving office in 2021.

Proclamation on National Sanctity of Human Life Day: January 18, 2021

Every human life is a gift to the world.  Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God.  The Almighty Creator gives unique talents, beautiful dreams, and a great purpose to every person.  On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonder of human existence and renew our resolve to build a culture of life where every person of every age is protected, valued, and cherished.

This month, we mark nearly 50 years since the United States Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.  This constitutionally flawed ruling overturned State laws that banned abortion, and has resulted in the loss of more than 50 million innocent lives.  But strong mothers, courageous students, and incredible community members and people of faith are leading a powerful movement to awaken America’s conscience and restore the belief that every life is worthy of respect, protection, and care.  Because of the devotion of countless pro-life pioneers, the call for every person to recognize the sanctity of life is resounding more loudly in America than ever before.  Over the last decade, the rate of abortions has steadily decreased, and today, more than three out of every four Americans support restrictions on abortion.

Since my first day in office, I have taken historic action to protect innocent lives at home and abroad.  I reinstituted and strengthened President Ronald Reagan’s Mexico City Policy, issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title Ten taxpayer funding, and took action to protect the conscience rights of doctors, nurses, and organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor.  My Administration has protected the vital role of faith-based adoption.  At the United Nations, I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life.  Just a few months ago, our Nation also joined 32 other countries in signing the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which bolsters global efforts to provide better healthcare to women, protect all human life, and strengthen families.

As a Nation, restoring a culture of respect for the sacredness of life is fundamental to solving our country’s most pressing problems.  When each person is treated as a beloved child of God, individuals can reach their full potential, communities will flourish, and America will be a place of even greater hope and freedom.  That is why it was my profound privilege to be the first President in history to attend the March for Life, and it is what motives my actions to improve our Nation’s adoption and foster care system, secure more funding for Down syndrome research, and expand health services for single mothers.  Over the past 4 years, I have appointed more than 200 Federal judges who apply the Constitution as written, including three Supreme Court Justices — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.  I also increased the child tax credit, so that mothers are financially supported as they take on the noble task of raising strong and healthy children.  And, recently, I signed an Executive Order on Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children, which defends the truth that every newborn baby has the same rights as all other individuals to receive life-saving care.

The United States is a shining example of human rights for the world.  However, some in Washington are fighting to keep the United States among a small handful of nations — including North Korea and China — that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks.  I join with countless others who believe this is morally and fundamentally wrong, and today, I renew my call on the Congress to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion.

Since the beginning, my Administration has been dedicated to lifting up every American, and that starts with protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society — the unborn.  On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we promise to continue speaking out for those who have no voice.  We vow to celebrate and support every heroic mother who chooses life.  And we resolve to defend the lives of every innocent and unborn child, each of whom can bring unbelievable love, joy, beauty, and grace into our Nation and the entire world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2021, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day.  Today, I call on the Congress to join me in protecting and defending the dignity of every human life, including those not yet born.  I call on the American people to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way, so every child can have a loving home.  And finally, I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

DONALD J. TRUMP
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[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm

Pro-Life Articles and Videos

• What is the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide
• What is the National Sanctity of Human Life Day?
• "Choice" Spoken Word Poetry Video by EZ Zwayne
• What Does It Mean to Be Created in God’s Image?  (article and video)
• Pro-Life Matters  (article and video)
• Who Can Tell Me? (article and video)
• God's Masterpiece  (article and video)
• Formed by His Hand (video)
• The Miracle of Life (video)
• Before Time Began (video + facts and statistics you need to know)
• If Pre-borns Could Talk: A Conversation in the Womb  (article and video)
• When Does a Woman Become a Mother? (Sanctity of Human Life Day)
• Who Are You? (Designed by the Creator video)
• You've Discovered You Are Pregnant (video)