Idaho Had Highest Death Rate in 2013

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A recent state report says that in 2013 Idaho saw the highest number of deaths in the state since record-keeping began, with cancer barely squeezing out heart disease as the No. 1 cause of death.

According to the state's Department of Health and Welfare, more than 12,400 people died in Idaho in 2013. The annual report records vital statistics such as deaths, births, marriages and divorces. Department spokeswoman Niki Forbing-Orr says 2013's higher death rate is expected, given Idaho's recent jump in population.

The report also found a decline in the number of births and induced abortions that year. The most common girl names in 2013 were Emma, Olivia, and Sophia; while the most common boy names were Liam, Wyatt and William.