Covid-19 is no longer the top cause of death in the United States, according to a recent federal health report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that US death rates declined across all age groups in 2023 compared to the previous year, marking a significant shift from the pandemic’s earlier impact.
Once the third leading cause of death at the height of the pandemic, Covid-19 dropped to the 10th position in 2023.It had already moved to fourth place by 2022. This shift reflects the decreasing severity and spread of the virus as public health measures and vaccines have taken effect.
Leading causes of death
In 2023, the leading causes of death in the US were heart disease, cancer, and a category of injuries that include gun-related deaths and drug overdoses. These causes have long been prevalent in US mortality statistics, but Covid-19’s initial surge had temporarily disrupted this pattern.
Overall mortality numbers
The total number of deaths in the US in 2023 was nearly 3.1 million, a decline from 3.3 million in 2022. Before the pandemic, the number of deaths in the country typically increased annually, partly due to population growth. The Covid-19 pandemic sharply accelerated this trend, making 2021 the deadliest year in US history, with 3.4 million deaths. However, as the pandemic has subsided, the death toll has also declined.
Death rates by race and ethnicity
The report also highlights a decrease in death rates across all racial and ethnic groups, though disparities persist. Age-adjusted death rates, which account for differences in age distribution within populations, were lowest among multiracial individuals and Asian Americans, and highest among Black Americans. These disparities underscore the ongoing need to address health inequities in the US
The CDC’s findings are based on provisional data from death certificates collected so far, with final data expected to be released later this year. The report underscores the evolving nature of public health challenges in the US, as well as the continued efforts to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and address broader health disparities across different demographic groups.
Once the third leading cause of death at the height of the pandemic, Covid-19 dropped to the 10th position in 2023.It had already moved to fourth place by 2022. This shift reflects the decreasing severity and spread of the virus as public health measures and vaccines have taken effect.
Leading causes of death
In 2023, the leading causes of death in the US were heart disease, cancer, and a category of injuries that include gun-related deaths and drug overdoses. These causes have long been prevalent in US mortality statistics, but Covid-19’s initial surge had temporarily disrupted this pattern.
Overall mortality numbers
The total number of deaths in the US in 2023 was nearly 3.1 million, a decline from 3.3 million in 2022. Before the pandemic, the number of deaths in the country typically increased annually, partly due to population growth. The Covid-19 pandemic sharply accelerated this trend, making 2021 the deadliest year in US history, with 3.4 million deaths. However, as the pandemic has subsided, the death toll has also declined.
Death rates by race and ethnicity
The report also highlights a decrease in death rates across all racial and ethnic groups, though disparities persist. Age-adjusted death rates, which account for differences in age distribution within populations, were lowest among multiracial individuals and Asian Americans, and highest among Black Americans. These disparities underscore the ongoing need to address health inequities in the US
The CDC’s findings are based on provisional data from death certificates collected so far, with final data expected to be released later this year. The report underscores the evolving nature of public health challenges in the US, as well as the continued efforts to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and address broader health disparities across different demographic groups.
