COVID-19 Drops from Top 10 Causes of Death in the U.S. for the First Time Since 2020

In a significant shift, the latest data from the U.S. government reveals that COVID-19 no longer ranks among the top 10 causes of death in the country for the first time since the pandemic began. In 2024, overall U.S. death rates have decreased to levels not seen since 2020, indicating some progress in public health, yet challenges remain.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart disease and cancer continue to be the leading causes of death, with approximately 683,037 deaths attributed to heart disease and 619,812 to cancer last year, showing slight increases from the previous year. Unintentional injuries now rank as the third leading cause, and notably, suicide has entered the top 10 causes for the first time, overtaking COVID-19.

Experts like Dr. Eric Topol from Scripps Research emphasize that heart disease remains a major concern and its numbers are moving in the wrong direction. Despite the decline in COVID-19 deaths, Dr. Topol notes that thousands of individuals are still dying from the virus.

Beyond infectious diseases, other leading causes include stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. Dr. Topol highlights that many of these illnesses are largely preventable through healthier lifestyle choices such as increased physical activity and better diets.

The data also underscores persistent disparities: Black Americans continue to experience the highest mortality rates, and men face a significantly higher death rate compared to women, with 844.8 versus 613.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Despite these insights, U.S. health outcomes still lag behind those of many other nations, partly due to gaps in chronic disease prevention and lower life expectancy.

Furthermore, experts express concern over reduced federal funding for health research, warning that this could hamper efforts in disease prevention. As Dr. Topol questions the declining support for initiatives like those led by the CDC, he underscores the urgent need to prioritize prevention strategies to improve health outcomes.

This development signals a pivotal moment in the pandemic’s trajectory and highlights the importance of addressing preventable health risks to reduce overall mortality. For more detailed information, see the CDC's data on the leading causes of death in the U.S.