How Many People Die Every Day in the US? Key Insights For 2024

What Are the Leading Causes of Death In the US?

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 702,880 deaths in 2022, which is about 1 in every 5 deaths according to CDC.

The age-adjusted death rate for heart disease was 210.9 per 100,000 population in 2022.

Coronary heart disease, the most common type, was responsible for 371,506 deaths that year.

The economic impact is substantial, with direct and indirect costs estimated at $252.2 billion from 2019 to 2020.

2. Cancer

While cancer deaths in the U.S. have decreased in recent years, experts say one group has seen an overall rise in cancer rates: younger Americans.https://t.co/gpcPF5K6ep

— PBS News (@NewsHour) September 2, 2024

Cancer continues to be a major cause of mortality, with an estimated 611,720 deaths in 2024, averaging about 1,676 deaths per day.

Despite advancements in treatment and early detection, the overall cancer death rate in the U.S. is 146.0 per 100,000 men and women per year, based on data from 2018–2022 as per noted by Advisory.

3. Accidents (Unintentional Injuries)

Unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, and other preventable incidents, resulted in 227,039 deaths in 2022, making it the third leading cause of death as noted by the CDC.

Reuters Motor vehicle traffic deaths accounted for 44,534 of these fatalities.

Preliminary estimates for the first half of 2024 indicate a decline in traffic fatalities, with 18,720 deaths reported, a 3.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.

4. COVID-19

In 2022, COVID-19 was responsible for 186,552 deaths in the United States, accounting for approximately 6% of all deaths that year.

This marked a significant decrease from the 416,893 COVID-19 deaths recorded in 2021.

By 2023, COVID-19 had dropped to the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., with 49,928 deaths reported that year as noted by The New York Post.

5. Stroke (Cerebrovascular Diseases)

Strokes claimed 165,393 lives in 2022 as data shows.

Heart Newsroom reports that this equates to around 453 stroke-related deaths each day.

Many of these deaths are preventable with proper management of hypertension and other risk factors.

6. Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), significantly impact public health in the United States.

In 2022, these diseases accounted for 147,382 deaths, ranking as the sixth leading cause of death in the nation.

COPD affects approximately 11.7 million adults in the U.S., leading to substantial healthcare costs annually according to the American Lung Association.

7. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a significant cause of mortality, particularly among the aging population.

In 2021, it was the fifth-leading cause of death among individuals aged 65 and older.

Between 2000 and 2021, deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease increased by 141%.

Alzheimer’s Association notes that the total cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the U.S. is projected to reach $360 billion in 2024.

8. Diabetes

Diabetes remains a significant health concern, contributing to a substantial number of deaths annually.

In 2021, diabetes was listed as the underlying cause of death on 103,294 death certificates, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the country.

The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing over the years, with approximately 38.4 million people of all ages in the U.S. diagnosed in 2021, accounting for 11.6% of the population.

9. Kidney Disease

In 2022, kidney disease was the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. with 57,937 fatalities.

NDDK reported, that as many as 9 in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unaware they have the condition.

About 1 in 3 adults with diabetes and 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have CKD.

10. Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

Liver disease and cirrhosis are significant health concerns, often associated with alcohol consumption and hepatitis infections.

In 2022, these conditions accounted for 54,803 deaths, ranking as the tenth leading cause of death in the country.

The age-adjusted death rate for alcohol-induced causes, including liver cirrhosis, was 10.4 per 100,000 population in 2022 according to Statista.

Seasonal Trends in Mortality

It’s a well-documented phenomenon that mortality rates tend to rise during the winter months.

This increase is linked to several factors, particularly the heightened prevalence of respiratory illnesses and the impact of cold weather on individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Key contributors include:

• Winter Mortality Trends – Research from Oxford Academic highlights that in developed countries with temperate climates, winter deaths account for 3–18% of annual mortality.
• Respiratory Diseases – The winter season sees a spike in illnesses like influenza, which are especially dangerous for older adults and those with chronic health conditions.
• Cold-Weather Impacts – The Environmental Protection Agency reports that death rates in winter are consistently 8–12% higher than in other seasons. Low temperatures can worsen cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, contributing to the seasonal rise in mortality.

Drug As Death

*Note: The 2024 figure is based on provisional data for the 12-month period ending June 2024.

• Total Overdose Deaths: Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in 2023, a 3% decrease from the 111,029 deaths in 2022.
• Year-Over-Year Reduction: The 12-month period ending June 2024 saw a 14.5% decline in overdose deaths compared to the previous year, the largest recorded reduction to date as per government sources.
• Daily Average: This equates to approximately 294 overdose deaths per day in the 12-month period ending August 31, 2022.

The decrease in overdose deaths is attributed to several factors:

•  Expanded availability of addiction treatments, such as buprenorphine, has played a crucial role in reducing fatalities according to AP News.
• Wider distribution of naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, has been instrumental in saving lives.
• Financial resources from opioid lawsuit settlements have been directed toward local drug prevention initiatives, enhancing community-level interventions.

Life Expectancy

As of 2024, the United States has experienced a slight increase in life expectancy. Projections indicate that the average life expectancy is 79.25 years, marking a 0.18% rise from 2023’s 79.11 years according to MacroTrends.

Gender Disparities according to CDC:

In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. life expectancy was 78.8 years.

The pandemic led to a decline, with life expectancy dropping to 76.4 years in 2021.

The current figure of 79.25 years indicates a recovery, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Despite this improvement, the U.S. continues to lag behind many developed nations in life expectancy.

For instance, countries like Japan and Switzerland report averages exceeding 83 years according to Worldometers.

Methodology

This article was crafted by synthesizing data from reliable sources, including the CDC, Oxford Academic, and major publications like The New York Post and Reuters.

Statistics were drawn from the most recent available data, such as 2022 figures and provisional estimates for 2024, to provide accurate insights.

Key trends were analyzed in areas like leading causes of death, seasonal mortality variations, and drug overdose trends.

Contextual factors, including demographic shifts and healthcare interventions, were incorporated to explain mortality patterns.

The analysis aimed to present a clear, data-driven summary for public health understanding.

References

1. World Population Review – Deaths Per Day in the U.S.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Heart Disease Facts and Statistics
3. Advisory – Causes of Death in the U.S.
4. Reuters – U.S. Public Health Crisis Over Traffic Deaths
5. The New York Post – COVID-19 No Longer a Top Cause of Death
6. Heart Newsroom – Stroke-Related Deaths Statistics
7. American Lung Association – COPD Trends Brief
8. Alzheimer’s Association – Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures
9. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) – Diabetes Statistics
10. Statista – Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.
11. Oxford Academic – Winter Mortality Trends
12. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Cold-Related Deaths
13. MacroTrends – U.S. Life Expectancy in 2024
14. Retirement Living – Life Expectancy Statistics
15. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy – Historic Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths
16. Associated Press – Addiction Treatments and Overdose Prevention
17. Worldometers – Global Life Expectancy