“The fact that so many death certificates are not filled out properly has repercussions beyond any individual certificate. It throws a shadow of doubt over such statements as “the number one cause of death in the United States is atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD).” The reason that ASHD is the “leading cause” is not that we eat too much fast food, though of course we do. Rather, the reason is that doctors put ASHD down on death certificates more often than they put down any other cause of death—and not always because it is the actual cause. In dealing with thousands of doctors over the years, I came to understand that they very quickly learn that ASHD is a good diagnosis to put down on a death certificate because it won’t raise red flags with the local ME or coroner’s office.”