Edward Sondik and Michael O'Grady talked about U.S. rends in and demographics of mortality rates. Topics included life expectancy rates, the leading causes of death, motor vehicle and poisoning death rates, HIV and AIDS, suicide and homicide rate, infant mortality, and stroke rates by region. They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

The video was lost about 16 minutes into the program, but the audio was not affected.

This was part four in a four-part "Washington Journal" series on weather and the government. The product identification number for the other parts are 301285-7 (Preparations for Weather Emergencies), 301325-5 ational Oceanic Atmospheric Administration ), and 301305-5 (Climatology).