Leading causes of death in the United States 2021

Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2021, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 12 percent of all deaths that year. The leading causes of death worldwide are similar to those in the United States. However, diarrheal diseases and neonatal conditions are major causes of death worldwide, but are not among the leading causes in the United States. Instead, accidents and chronic liver disease have a larger impact in the United States.

Racial differences

In the United States, there exist slight differences in leading causes of death depending on race and ethnicity. For example, assault, or homicide, accounts for around 3 percent of all deaths among the black population but is not even among the leading causes of death for other races and ethnicities. However, heart disease and cancer are still the leading causes of death for all races and ethnicities.

Gender differences

Similarly, there are also differences in the leading causes of death in the U.S. depending on gender. For example, among males, intentional self-harm accounts for around 2.5 percent of all deaths but is not among the leading causes of death among females. On the other hand, septicemia and influenza and pneumonia account for more deaths among women than men.