Nearly 2 Million Deaths Annually: Risks & Symptoms Explained

The leading causes of death globally remain largely consistent, with cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses topping the list. According to data from 2023, in the United States, approximately 3,090,964 deaths occurred, resulting in a death rate of 922.9 deaths per 100,000 population. Life expectancy in the U.S. Is currently 78.4 years, with an infant mortality rate of 5.60 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Leading Causes of Death in the United States

Heart disease remains the single largest contributor to mortality in the U.S., accounting for 680,981 deaths in 2023. Cancer is the second leading cause, responsible for 613,352 deaths. Unintentional injuries, often referred to as accidents, are the third, with 222,698 deaths reported. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases) caused 162,639 deaths, while chronic lower respiratory diseases contributed to 145,357 deaths.

Other significant causes of death include Alzheimer’s disease (114,034 deaths), diabetes (95,190 deaths), nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis (55,253 deaths), and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (52,222 deaths). Notably, COVID-19 accounted for 49,932 deaths in 2023.

Global Perspective on Causes of Death

Worldwide, in 2021, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 39 million deaths, representing 57% of all global deaths. These causes are broadly categorized into communicable, noncommunicable, and injury-related deaths. Seven of the top ten global causes of death are noncommunicable diseases, accounting for 38% of all deaths, or 68% of the top 10 causes.

Ischaemic heart disease is the world’s biggest killer, responsible for 13% of all global deaths. Since 2000, deaths from ischaemic heart disease have increased by 2.7 million, reaching 9.1 million in 2021. COVID-19 emerged as the second leading cause of death globally in 2021, directly responsible for 8.8 million deaths. This emergence shifted the rankings of other leading causes; stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease moved to third and fourth place, respectively, accounting for approximately 10% and 5% of total deaths.

Lower respiratory infections remain a significant communicable disease cause of death, ranking as the fifth leading cause globally, though deaths have decreased from 2000 (2.5 million deaths in 2021, down from 2.87 million in 2000). Deaths from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers have also risen, from 1.2 million in 2000 to an unspecified higher number in 2021.

Diarrheal Diseases and Global Impact

Diarrheal diseases represent a substantial global health burden, particularly in developing countries. They are the second-leading cause of infectious disease deaths worldwide, resulting in over 2 million deaths annually, and contributing to nearly one-fifth of all deaths in children under the age of five. The prevalence of these infections in developing countries often leads to delayed recognition of critical symptoms by parents.

Chronic Disease Burden

Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are also significant contributors to mortality, with data available cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.

Data Availability and Further Information

Final data for deaths in 2022 and leading causes of death for 2023 are available in PDF format from the CDC. Trends in deaths from health, United States, and United States Life Tables for 2023 are also accessible. Additional data and query tools, such as CDC Wonder, are available for further investigation into underlying causes of death. Information on linked birth and infant death data, as well as resources for obtaining vital records, can also be found through the CDC.

As of January 9, 2026, the CDC/National Center for Health Statistics last reviewed the FastStats data on deaths and mortality.