New Study Reveals The Biggest Killers in the U.S.

Data pinpoints the leading causes of death and reveals some key disparities, pointing towards preventative measures

Heart disease is the biggest killer in the United States, annually accounting for 21.4% of deaths. Cancer is the second biggest killer (18.5%): combined, heart disease and cancer kill 1.32 million people each year.

The third biggest cause of deaths is accidental injuries – with a large number of those 227,039 fatalities potentially still alive had they understood implicit risk factors.

Our analysis has unearthed the details beyond the statistics. As well as age and racial differentials, the data reveals key geographical disparities and clarifies the need for further measures that would improve national health.

Disparities in the Causes of Death Across the U.S.

Age

There are numerous disparities within death-rate statistics. As the data reveals, age is one key differential when we look at the main causes of death, with much more variation up to 40 years old.  

For infants younger than a year old, the leading cause of death is congenital malformations. For young children (1-9 years), accidents are the biggest killer; for older children (10-19 years), accidents are still the number one danger, but suicide is now also a huge problem. For young adults (20-39 years), accidents remain a big issue, with homicide also being a contributing factor.

But as our analysis emphasises, once people pass the 40 years old threshold, cancer and heart disease become predominant. There’s a 45.1% risk of developing cancer from age 40; for heart disease, a 34.8% chance.

As previously referenced, for those older than 65, Covid-19 is a far more prevalent cause of death; so too are chronic respiratory diseases and stroke. Beyond 80 years, Alzheimer’s is a hugely significant factor.

Racial Factors

As well as age differentials, death statistics feature implicit racial disparities. Overall, the data emphasises some key distinctions. With more awareness within each racial group as to the causes leading to higher prevalences in some health-related issues, more might be done to alleviate the determining factors.

Our analysis shows that non-Hispanic white people are particularly affected by heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. For the non-Hispanic black population, heart disease, diabetes, Covid-19 and stroke are predominant.

Hispanic people (although on average living longer) also die in disproportionate numbers from Covid-19: for every white Covid-19 fatality, there are 1.6 Hispanic Covid-19 fatalities. Hispanic people also suffer an especially high rate of diabetes.

American Indian and Alaska Native people are more prone than other groups to die from accidents, chronic liver disease and suicide. The date indicates that the American Indian and Alaskan Native suicide rate increased nearly 20% between 2015 (20 people per 100,000) to 2020 (23.9), compared with a 1% overall drop among the U.S. population (13.3 and 13.5 people per 100,000, respectively).

Geography

Our analysis also clearly highlights the significance of your location to your health. The data highlights some key regional differences.

The ‘Stroke Belt’ (an 11-state southeastern region that includes Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Alabama and North and South Carolina) features some of the highest levels of stroke and heart disease. In the latter case, Oklahoma tops the list.

• Oklahoma – 257.1 (fatalities per 100,000 residents)
• Mississippi – 248
• Alabama – 234.2
• Arkansas – 224.1
• Louisiana – 224
• Tennessee – 218.3
• West Virginia – 209.5
• Kentucky – 208.6
• Michigan – 206.3
• Missouri – 199.8

Cancer rates are highest in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

The top ten cancer states in the U.S.

• Kentucky – 503.4 (new cancer cases each year per 100,000 residents)
• Louisiana – 486.6
• Arkansas – 486.4
• West Virginia – 484.3
• New Jersey – 479.9
• Nebraska – 477.7
• Iowa – 475.7
• New York – 472.2
• Mississippi – 471.4
• Maine – 465.8

Accidental deaths feature most prominently in rural areas such as Wyoming and Montana, whereas the ‘Stroke Belt’ (an 11-state southeastern region that includes Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana and North and South Carolina) accounts for the highest proportion of stroke victims.

The data also shows that residents of coal-mining states such as West Virginia disproportionately suffer with chronic respiratory diseases, with diabetes more common in southern states (nephritis is also most common in diabetes-heavy states).

There are more deaths from chronic liver disease in New Mexico and Arizona, and Alzheimer’s is more prevalent in Florida due to a comparatively large number of older citizens.

COVID-19: A Serious Emerging Threat

By far the most recent addition to the list of primary causes of death in the U.S., and fourth on the list of biggest killers, is COVID-19, which accounts for 5.7% (186,552) of deaths each year.

Although COVID-19 is a serious risk to all age groups, our analysis emphasises that it’s a particular threat to older generations. COVID-19 also kills a disproportionate number of Hispanics, African Americans, and those residing in states with lower vaccination rates.

All major causes of death pose varying levels of risk to different age groups, racial demographics, and geographic regions within the country.

Some Possible Measures to Improve Health and Lower Death Rates

Yet, despite some shocking figures, there are clear ways to effect significant health improvements. With better and more widely disseminated public information – for example, around the benefits of vaccination – many health issues would improve.

With better personal habits around diet, vices, and exercise, significant health improvements can be achieved. With some chronic diseases, better, earlier interventions would save thousands of lives. With ongoing access to medical aid, a broad portion of fatality numbers would diminish. 

At Scott Vicknair, we’re conscious of the seriousness of national death figures and the preventability of a significant number of annual fatalities. Historically, we’ve seen how government policy and public health campaigns have almost eradicated ailments like measles and malaria.

Whilst the eradication of heart disease and cancer may be unlikely, a combined 1.32 million deaths each year is clearly far too many. We hope our analysis highlights the need for continued vigilance in all health areas and encourages new public health initiatives to remedy some changeable disparities.