U.S. COVID Death Rates Decline in 2024, Removing COVID-19 from Top 10 Causes of Death

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COVID-19 No Longer a Top 10 killer in the U.S., Data Shows

September 10, 2025

An activist gathering during a vigil in Washington, D.C. for nurses who succumbed to COVID-19. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images)

Washington D.C. – A new analysis of mortality data reveals that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has fallen outside the ten leading causes of death in the United States. This marks the first time since the start of the pandemic that the virus does not appear on that critical list. The findings, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signal a notable shift in the nation’s health landscape.

Even though no longer among the top ten, health officials stress that COVID-19 remains a pervasive threat, currently ranking within the top fifteen causes of mortality. Farida Ahmad, a health scientist at the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics and the study’s led author, confirmed that the virus continues to claim lives and warrants ongoing vigilance.

The Declining Toll of COVID-19

The decline in COVID-19 related deaths is ample when compared to the peak of the pandemic in 2021, when over 463,000 Americans lost their lives to the virus. last year saw approximately 47,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19, marking a significant reduction.Overall mortality rates in 2024 dropped by four percent compared to the previous year, continuing a three-year downward trend.

This decrease is observed across various age groups and racial and ethnic demographics. Experts attribute this improvement to a combination of factors, including widespread vaccination efforts, improved treatments, and a decrease in severe infections due to evolving virus variants.

Leading Causes of Death in 2024

While COVID-19’s position has shifted, the top two causes of death remain consistent: heart disease and cancer. These chronic conditions account for more than 40 percent of all deaths in the U.S. Other leading causes include suicide, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Rank	cause of Death	Percentage of Total Deaths (2024)
1	Heart Disease	20.1%
2	Cancer	18.4%
3	Accidents (Unintentional Injuries)	6.3%
4	Stroke (Cerebrovascular Diseases)	5.4%
5	Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases	4.7%
…	COVID-19	~1.3%

Did You Know? Heart disease remains the single largest killer in the United States, accounting for roughly one in five deaths.

Shifting Focus to Chronic Diseases

Public health officials are now emphasizing the importance of tackling chronic diseases, as these conditions continue to represent the most significant threats to overall health and longevity. Kathleen Ethier, a former CDC official, noted that successful management of infectious diseases has enabled a longer lifespan and a greater prevalence of chronic conditions.

Addressing chronic diseases requires a multi-faceted approach that considers lifestyle factors, environmental influences, genetics, and access to quality healthcare. Factors such as diet, stress levels, exposure to pollution, and socioeconomic status play key roles in the development and progression of these illnesses.

Pro Tip: Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and consistent physical activity are essential for preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Concerns have risen following the release of a recent report by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,which has received mixed reviews from public health experts. Critics point out a potential conflict between the report’s goals and recent policy decisions, including proposed cuts to crucial public health programs, scientific research funding, and vaccine accessibility.

Experts warn that reductions in funding for disease prevention programs, notably those targeting chronic illnesses, could reverse the progress made in recent years and perhaps exacerbate

What percentage of the U.S. population has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster as of late 2024/early 2025?

The Shifting Landscape of COVID-19 Mortality

In a significant advancement for public health, data indicates that COVID-19 deaths in the United States experienced a substantial decline throughout 2024, ultimately leading to its removal from the top 10 leading causes of death as of late 2024/early 2025. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing management of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, first identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019, following an outbreak in Wuhan, China. https://www.who.int/es/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Key Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several interconnected factors have contributed to this positive trend in COVID-19 mortality rates. These include:

High Vaccination Rates: Widespread availability and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, have substantially reduced the severity of illness and the risk of death, especially among vulnerable populations. vaccine efficacy against severe disease remains high.

Natural Immunity: Prior infection with the virus has conferred a degree of natural immunity in a substantial portion of the population, adding another layer of protection.

Evolution of the Virus: While new variants continue to emerge, many have demonstrated reduced virulence compared to earlier strains like Delta. The Omicron variants, for example, generally caused less severe illness.

Improved Treatments: Advances in therapeutic interventions, such as antiviral medications (like Paxlovid) and monoclonal antibody treatments (though effectiveness varies with variants), have improved outcomes for those who do become infected.

Enhanced Public Health Measures: Continued emphasis on preventative measures like improved ventilation, hand hygiene, and staying home when sick have played a role in reducing transmission.

Data Highlights: 2024 COVID-19 Mortality Trends

While final 2024 data is still being compiled, preliminary reports from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other health organizations reveal a clear downward trajectory.

significant Reduction in Deaths: Compared to 2023, COVID-19 deaths in 2024 decreased by approximately 65-70%.

Shift in Ranking: COVID-19,which previously ranked among the top 3-5 leading causes of death in the U.S. during the peak of the pandemic, now falls outside the top 10. Heart disease, cancer, accidents, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, AlzheimerS disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, and kidney disease currently occupy those positions.

Regional Variations: While the decline is nationwide, some regions experienced more significant reductions than others, possibly linked to varying vaccination rates and local public health policies.

Impact on Excess Mortality: the decline in COVID-19 deaths has also contributed to a decrease in overall excess mortality – the measure of deaths above what would be expected in a normal year.

The Impact of Variant Evolution on Severity

The continuous evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a defining characteristic of the pandemic. Each new variant presents unique challenges, but the trend has generally been towards increased transmissibility and decreased severity.

Delta Variant (2021): Highly contagious and associated with severe illness, particularly in unvaccinated individuals.

Omicron Variants (2022-2023): More transmissible than previous variants, but generally caused milder illness, especially in vaccinated individuals. Subvariants like BA.5 and BQ.1.1 dominated during this period.

Emerging Variants (2024-2025): Ongoing monitoring of new variants is crucial. While current variants haven’t triggered a surge in severe illness, vigilance remains essential.

Implications for Public Health Policy

the decline in COVID-19 deaths has prompted a re-evaluation of public health policies.

Easing of Restrictions: Many mask mandates and other restrictions have been lifted as the risk of severe illness has decreased.

Shift to Endemic Management: The focus is now shifting towards managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease – one that is constantly present but generally predictable.

Continued Surveillance: Ongoing surveillance of viral variants and monitoring of hospitalizations and deaths remain critical for early detection of potential outbreaks or surges.

Vaccination Recommendations: Health officials continue to recommend that individuals stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly those at high risk of severe illness.