In crisis in the U.S.? Call or text 988. Veterans: dial 988, then press 1.

More help and resources

Most Common Causes of Death

Reading · 5 min read · First published 2006 · Updated November 2026

Rows of headstones above beds of pink and purple flowers
Photo by Todd Thompson on Unsplash

The top 10 causes of death in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 3,072,666 deaths in the United States in 2024, the most recent year of final data as of November 2026. The ten leading causes, and the number of people who died from each, were:

| | | | | :-: | :-: | :-: | | Rank | Cause of death | Deaths (2024) | | 1 | Heart disease | 683,491 | | 2 | Cancer | 619,876 | | 3 | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 197,449 | | 4 | Stroke | 166,852 | | 5 | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 145,643 | | 6 | Alzheimer's disease | 116,022 | | 7 | Diabetes | 94,445 | | 8 | Kidney disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis) | 55,081 | | 9 | Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis | 52,274 | | 10 | Suicide | 48,824 |

In the same year, the CDC reported 20,162 deaths from homicide.

How the List Has Changed Since 2002

If you remember an older version of this list, it looked a little different. In 2002, the CDC counted 2,443,387 deaths in the United States. The ten leading causes that year were heart disease (696,947), cancer (557,271), stroke (162,672), chronic lower respiratory diseases (124,816), accidents (106,742), diabetes (73,249), influenza and pneumonia (65,681), Alzheimer's disease (58,866), kidney disease (40,974) and septicemia, a bloodstream infection (33,865).

Compared with 2024, a few things stand out.

  • Heart disease and cancer are still first and second. Deaths from heart disease were a little lower in 2024 than in 2002, even though the country has more people. Deaths from cancer were higher.
  • Accidents moved from fifth place to third.
  • Alzheimer's disease moved from eighth place to sixth.
  • Influenza and pneumonia and septicemia are no longer in the top ten. Chronic liver disease and suicide have joined it.
  • COVID-19, which was tenth in 2023, fell to fifteenth in 2024.

Keep in mind that these lists change from year to year, that the number of deaths grows as the population grows and ages, and that the way causes are grouped can change too. A list like this tells us what is happening to a whole country. It cannot tell you what will happen to you or the people you love.

What You Can Do

Some of these causes can be lowered by everyday choices and good medical care. This is general information from the CDC, and your own doctor can tell you what fits your health.

  • Heart disease and stroke. The CDC suggests eating healthy foods with plenty of fruits and vegetables and less salt, sugar and alcohol, keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, and not smoking (or quitting if you do). It also recommends having your cholesterol checked, keeping your blood pressure under control, and taking prescribed medicines exactly as directed.
  • Cancer. Healthy choices can lower the risk of many common cancers, and the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines can help prevent some. Screening tests can find several kinds of cancer early, when treatment works best. Ask your doctor which ones are right for you.
  • Accidents. For older adults, falls are a major concern. The CDC suggests talking with your doctor about your fall risk, having your medicines reviewed, doing strength and balance exercises such as Tai Chi, getting your eyes checked every year, and making your home safer with better lighting, railings on both sides of stairs and grab bars in the bathroom.
  • Chronic lung disease. Not smoking, or quitting, is one of the most important steps. Your doctor can help you find a plan that works.
  • Diabetes. About one in three U.S. adults has prediabetes. The CDC calls a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program "a proven way to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes."
  • Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The CDC says nearly 45% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed. It points to regular physical activity (about 150 minutes a week), managing blood sugar and blood pressure, treating hearing loss, limiting alcohol and not smoking.

If you are caring for someone who already has one of these illnesses, prevention may not be the question on your mind. Comfort and support are. hospice FAQ

Behind every number on this page is a person who was loved, and a family or circle of friends, and sometimes a pet, who is grieving. If you are one of them, you are not alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, U.S.). Veterans: dial 988 and press 1. Outside the U.S., find a local line at findahelpline.com. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Sources

Written by Words to Comfort

↑ Back to top