Abstract: Objective To understand the major causes of death and disease burden in Suzhou city, and to provide a basis for making policy of prevention and control for diseases. Methods Causes of deaths and coding were conducted by means of ICD-10.Mortality rate, standardized mortality rate and proportional mortality rate of the population were calculated. Results Mortality rate was 656.21/100, 000 in year 2007, and its standardized mortality rate was 365.69/100, 000 in Suzhou city.The five major causes of death were malignant tumors (standardized mortality rate was 112.79/100, 000), cardiovascular diseases (65.54/100, 000), respiratory diseases (47.19/100, 000), heart diseases (39.41/100, 000), injuries and intoxications (35.34/100, 000) . Conclusion Non-infectious diseases, injuries and intoxications are major causes of death, disease burden and important public health issues for inhabitants of Suzhou city.