U.S. Death Rates decline in 2024, Marking Third Consecutive Year of Drop
U.S. death rates decreased in 2024, continuing a three-year downward trend, according to data released this week. The decline spans most age groups and racial and ethnic groups, driven in part by fewer deaths from COVID-19 and drug overdoses, reported Ahmad, a researcher involved in the analysis.
Heart disease and cancer remained the leading causes of death,accounting for over 40% of all U.S. deaths in 2024, a position they’ve held for more than a decade. Other leading causes included suicide, diabetes, and unintentional injury.
Death rates were disproportionately higher for men,older adults,and Black Americans.
Experts note a shift in the landscape of mortality, wiht increasing longevity and a rise in deaths from chronic diseases. “The fact that we’re seeing people living into older and older age and dying of chronic diseases is a sign that we’ve been prosperous at dealing with infectious diseases,” said Kathleen Ethier, former CDC official at the National Center for chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Addressing chronic diseases requires a different approach than infectious diseases,Ethier explained: “These are things that develop over time,that are highly impacted by our behaviour and environments and genetics.” Risk factors for conditions like heart disease include family history, exposure to stressful or polluted environments, diets high in ultraprocessed foods, and limited access to healthcare.
Public health advocates have expressed concern over recent policy decisions that could exacerbate the problem. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a report titled “Make Our Children Healthy Again,” which received mixed reviews. Critics point to inconsistencies with other actions by the trump Administration, including cuts to food assistance, scientific research, Medicaid programs, and vaccine access.
Ethier warned that the administration’s policies will likely worsen the top ten causes of death, citing the proposed FY 2026 Budget’s targeting of the CDC division focused on chronic disease prevention for elimination, including the office dedicated to combating smoking-a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
