Leading causes of death among Black U.S. residents in 2020 and 2021

The leading causes of death among Black residents in the United States in 2021 included diseases of the heart, cancer, stroke, and unintentional injuries. The leading causes of death for African Americans generally reflects the leading causes of death for the entire United States population. However, a major exception is that death from assault or homicide is the seventh leading cause of death among African Americans but is not among the ten leading causes for the general population.

Homicide among African Americans

The homicide rate among African Americans has been higher than that of other races and ethnicities for many years. In 2022, around 10,470 Black people were murdered in the United States, compared to 7,704 white people. A majority of these homicides are committed with firearms, which are easily accessible in the United States. In 2021, around 15,548 Black people died by firearms. However, suicide deaths account for over half of all deaths from firearms in the United States.

Cancer disparities

There are also major disparities in access to health care and the impact of various diseases. For example, the incidence rate of cancer among African American males is the greatest among all ethnicities and races. Furthermore, although the incidence rate of cancer is lower among African American women than it is among white women, cancer death rates are still higher among African American women.