County’s AIDS Death Rate Exceeds That of U.S. : Mortality: For the first time, the disease claimed more lives than breast cancer in 1992, according to an annual county report. Heart disease, cancer and strokes remain the overall leading causes of death.

The AIDS death rate in Orange County is exceeding the national mortality rate and the disease continues to be the leading cause of death for males between 25 and 45, county officials said Wednesday.

It was also the fourth leading cause of death among females in the 25 to 45 age group and, for the first time, deaths from AIDS outnumbered deaths from breast cancer in 1992. The number of women killed by breast cancer dropped from 348 in 1991 to 297 in 1992.

Heart disease, cancer and strokes remain the overall leading causes of death in Orange County, according to the annual report, which analyzed 1992 mortality rates. It was released Wednesday by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Another significant trend is the increase in homicides, especially among Latino youths, said Dr. Rick Greenwood, the county’s deputy director of public health. Homicide was the 22nd leading cause of death among Orange County’s Anglos in 1992 but the second leading cause of death among Latinos, he said.

Dr. Hugh F. Stallworth, county health officer, said: “Trends here are apparent and alarming. Deaths from heart diseases and cancer still head the list for all ages and sexes. However, the number and rate of AIDS and intentional injury deaths continue to climb.”

The report showed that 310 people died from AIDS in the county, up from 267 the previous year. As in 1991, AIDS ranked seventh among killers.

Greenwood noted that the death rate from AIDS in the county was 12.25 per 100,000 in 1992, up from 10.8 per 100,000 the previous year. In 1991 the national death rate from AIDS was 11.7 per 100,000.

On a more positive side, Greenwood said he believes that the reduction in breast cancer fatalities “probably shows the effects of screening and early intervention and treatment.”

Homicide continued to be the leading cause of death in 15- to 24-year-old males. By contrast, he said, in 1988, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death in that group.

Suicide also climbed in the ranking from 10th in 1991 with 238 cases to eighth in 1992 with 273 cases.

Overall, however, Orange County continues to have a lower death rate than the nation or the state.

In all, 14,557 people died in the county in 1992, the report said, for a death rate of 575.1 per 100,000.

“Our death rate overall is very good,” Greenwood said. “We have a fairly young population and a relatively fit population in comparison with the eastern part of the United States.”