Top 10 Causes of Death In The US
Dec 21, 2024
News
Many factors determine how long you may live – depending on your habits, genetics and even lifestyle
As the year closes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a list of the top ten diseases that caused deaths of nearly 3.1 million US residents in 2023. The age-adjusted rate of mortality in 2023 was 750.5 deaths per 100,000 people, down about 6 per cent from 798.8 in 2022.
Experts say there are many factors that determine how long you may live—depending on your habits, genetics and even lifestyle. Most common diseases across the world that sick people are disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, which remain among the biggest drivers of death among Americans as well.
According to the CDC, overall, the US’ top 10 leading causes of death in 2023 remained the same as in 2022—even though there were a few shifts in rank. Nine of the 10 leading causes also saw statistically significant declines in their rates of death, and only one saw an increase in the total number of deaths attributed to it.
The CDC says the country's ten most common causes of death accounted for nearly 71 per cent of total deaths among US residents in 2023.
Heart attacks
Heart attacks remained the top killer of American people in 2023, accounting for 22 per cent of all deaths after accounting for 21.4 per cent of deaths in 2022.
Cancer
There were around 5,000 cancer deaths across the US in 2023 compared with 2022, marking the only cause of death among the top 10 to see an increase year over year. The death rate tied to cancer fell by a statistically insignificant amount.
Accidents
Unintentional injuries resulting in drug overdoses, car accidents, and falls killed at least 7.2 per cent of American citizens.
Cerebrovascular diseases
Cerebrovascular disease or CVD, is a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels and blood flow in the brain and spinal cord. These conditions cause brain damage by preventing brain cells from getting enough oxygen. In the US, the condition accounted for 5.3 per cent of total deaths in 2023, up from 5 per cent in 2022.
Respiratory diseases
Respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis account for 4.7 per cent of death across the United States in 2023, and the number is significantly up from 2022.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's, a brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually the ability to perform daily tasks, accounted for 3.7 per cent of all those who died in both 2022 and 2023.
Diabetes
Diabetes accounted for 3.1 per cent of all deaths in 2022 and 2023—even though the death rate has been falling every year. It was number eight on the list in 2022.
Kidney failure
While it was at number nine in 2022, the ailment accounted for 1.8 per cent of all fatalities even in 2023, and the death rate dropped significantly.
Liver diseases
Chronic liver diseases like liver cancer and cirrhosis accounted for at least 1.7 per cent of all deaths that year and in 2023, with a rate of death that fell by close to 6 per cent between years.
COVID-19
While it was at number 4 in 2022, COVID-19 deaths in 2023 accounted for 1.6 per cent of all deaths among US residents, compared with 5.7 per cent of all deaths the previous year.
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