Top 10 causes of death in the US in 2020

For the first time in 4 years, Americans are living longer lives, according to recent data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Life expectancy for Americans increased by 0.1 year, from 78.6 years in 2017 to 78.7 years in 2018. The increase was largely due to declines in lung cancer mortality, infant mortality, and deaths from unintentional injuries such as drug overdoses and accidents.

Each year, the CDC presents its detailed analysis of US mortality. The report breaks down US deaths and death rates according to demographic and medical characteristics, and lists the top 10 causes of death in the United States. Upon reviewing this year’s report, there are some positive changes. The incidence of death, for instance, decreased for most of these top 10 causes and increased in only 2. 

According to the latest data from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System for 2018, the 10 leading causes of death in 2018 stayed the same as in 2017. Decreases in 6 of the 10 leading causes of death were seen, but there were increases in influenza-/pneumonia- and suicide-related deaths. The remaining 2 of the 10 causes—diabetes and kidney disease—evidenced no significant changes.

The report brought some more good news: The age-adjusted death rate for Americans decreased by 1.1% (731.9 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2017 to 723.6 in 2018). Also positive were the decreases in age-specific deaths rates evident in those aged 15-24 years, 25-34 years, 45-54 years, 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85 years and over.

The CDC also tracked a 2.3% decrease in infant mortality rates, from 579.3 infant deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017 to 566.2 in 2018. The 10 leading causes of infant death, however, remained the same, and were led by congenital malformations and low birth weight.

Life expectancy for women remained consistently higher than for men, with a difference in greater life expectancy of 5.0 years.

Here, in descending order, are the top 10 causes of death in the United States:

10. Suicide

2018 incidence: 48,344

Rate: 14.2 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 1.7%

The number of Americans who died by suicide accounted for 1.7% of the 2.8 million registered deaths. Encouragingly, the incidence of suicide did not increase from 2017. But, its rate increased by 1.4%, up from 14.0 per 100,000 in 2017 to 14.2 in 2018.

9. Kidney disease

2018 incidence: 51,386

Rate: 12.9 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total death: 1.8%

Like suicide, the number of deaths from kidney disease did not change significantly from 2017, with a slight decrease in risk from 13.0 per 100,000 in 2017 to 12.9 in 2018.

8. Influenza and pneumonia

2018 incidence: 59,120

Rate: 14.9 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 2.1%

Unfortunately, deaths from influenza and pneumonia increased in 2018 and accounted for 3,450 more deaths compared with 2017. The death rate also increased 4.2%—from 14.3 per 100,000 in 2017 to 14.9 in 2018.

7. Diabetes

2018 incidence: 84,946

Rate: 21.4 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 3%

No significant changes occurred between 2017 and 2018 in the number of deaths from diabetes. Considering the rate of overweight and obesity in America, no news is good news in this respect.

6. Alzheimer disease

2018 incidence: 122,019

Rate: 30.5 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 4.3%

The death rate from Alzheimer disease decreased in 2018, down from 31.0 per 100,000 in 2017. But, the CDC has estimated that by 2060, nearly 3.3% of the entire US population—that’s 14 million people—will have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia.

5. Cerebrovascular diseases

2018 incidence: 147,810

Rate: 37.1 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 5.2%

Cerebrovascular diseases are comprised of stroke, carotid stenosis, vertebral and intracranial stenosis, aneurysm, and vascular malformation. The good news is that the rate of death from these diseases decreased from 37.6 per 100,000 in 2017 to 37.1 in 2018.

4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases

2018 incidence: 159,486

Rate: 39.7 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 5.6%

Deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases—including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, occupational lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension—were down slightly, from 5.7% in 2017 to 5.6% in 2019. There was also a decline in death rate, from 40.9 per 100,000 in 2017 to 39.7 in 2018.

3. Accidents/unintentional injuries

2018 incidence: 167,127

Rate: 48.0 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 5.9%

The number of deaths from unintentional injuries include those from car accidents, falls, and—importantly—drug overdoses. The death rate fell by 2.8%—from 49.4 per 100,000 in 2017 to 48.0 in 2018. This was due, in large part, to reductions in the number of deaths from drug overdoses.

2. Cancer

2018 incidence: 599,274

Rate: 149.1 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 21.1%

Although the death rate from cancer among Americans fell from 152.5 per 100,000 in 2017 to 149.1 in 2018, cancer is still the #2 killer in the United States; it’s responsible for 21.1% of all deaths.

1. Heart disease

2018 incidence: 655,381

Rate: 163.6 per 100,000 US standard population

Percentage of total deaths: 23.1%

Heart disease—most commonly caused by coronary artery and valvular diseases—is the #1 killer in the United States. It accounted for almost one-fourth of all registered deaths. The death rate from heart disease, however, fell by 0.8%, from 165.0 per 100,000 in 2017 to 163.6 in 2018.

These 2018 changes—albeit slight—are good news for Americans. Life expectancy has increased, and the age-adjusted death rate has decreased. Importantly, the number of deaths from accidental overdoses has also declined. Let’s hope the trend continued for Americans in 2019 and beyond.