The leading causes of death in the United States are by far cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, the death rates from these diseases, as well as other leading causes of death, have decreased over the past few decades. The one major exception are deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which have increased significantly.
Cardiovascular disease deaths
Although cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of death in the United States, the death rate of these diseases has dropped significantly. In the year 1950, there were around 589 deaths per 100,000 population due to cardiovascular diseases. In the year 2022, this number was 167.2 per 100,000 population. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, poor diet, diabetes, obesity, stress, family history, and age.
Alzheimer’s disease deaths
While the death rates for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lower respiratory diseases have all decreased, the death rate for Alzheimer’s disease has increased. In fact, from the year 2000 to 2021, the death rate from Alzheimer’s disease rose an astonishing 141 percent. This increase is in part due to a growing aging population.
Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022
(per 100,000 population)
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US Department of Health and Human Services. (May 2, 2024). Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
US Department of Health and Human Services. "Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 population)." Chart. May 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
US Department of Health and Human Services. "Selected Major Causes of Deaths in The United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Selected major causes of deaths in the United States in 2000, 2009, 2019, and 2022 (per 100,000 population) [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, May 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/184380/death-rate-by-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
