Summary
COVID-19 is no longer one of the top ten causes of death in the U.S., based on early 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was previously a leading cause since 2020. Heart disease and cancer continue to be the top two causes.
Key Facts
- COVID-19 dropped from the top ten causes of death in the U.S. for the first time since the pandemic began.
- COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020 and has been decreasing in impact since its peak in 2021.
- In 2021, over 463,000 people in the U.S. died from COVID, while in 2023, the number was around 47,000.
- Overall deaths in the U.S. decreased by 4% last year, marking the third year of this downward trend.
- Heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death, accounting for over 40% of all U.S. deaths in 2024.
- Death rates are higher among men, older adults, and Black Americans compared to other groups.
- Factors contributing to lower overall death rates include fewer deaths from COVID-19 and drug overdoses.
