Last year, COVID-19 deaths decreased by nearly 70% and the viral infection slipped from the top five causes of death in the U.S. At the top of the latest list – released this week – was a usual suspect.
Out of close to 3.1 million total deaths, heart disease accounted for 680,909. Cancer was the second leading cause of death with 613,331 reported deaths and unintentional injury was the third with 222,518 deaths. Other causes in the top five list were stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease.
In 2022, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death with 245,614 associated deaths reported. This year that number decreased to 76,446, the 10th leading cause of death in the nation. With the arrival of vaccines and treatments such as Paxlovid, COVID infections have significantly lowered. However, doctors have noted a summer surge of cases in the nation.
Last year the overall death rate decreased by 6.1%. Rates were highest among “non-Hispanic Black or African American persons,” and males.
Overall death rates decreased for all age groups. While deaths from heart disease decreased, deaths from cancer increased. Audacy has recently reported on an uptick in certain cancers among younger Americans.
Heart disease is often at the top of the list of leading causes of death in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around half of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors for the condition: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. Diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use are also risk factors.
Per the CDC, the most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). Those with the disease have decreased blood flow that can result in a heart attack. The American Heart Association also explained that heart disease is often related to atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque on artery walls, making them narrower and decreasing blood flow.