Death Causes in 2020: A Statistical Analysis
In the United States, the leading causes of death in 2022 were as follows:
- Heart disease: With 702,880 deaths and a 21.4% share of total deaths, heart disease remained the leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Cancer: Cancer was the second leading cause of death, claiming 608,371 lives and accounting for an 18.5% share of total deaths.
- Accidents (unintentional injuries): Accidents were the third leading cause of death, with 227,039 deaths and a 6.9% share of total deaths.
- COVID-19: Despite its significant impact in previous years, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in 2022, with 186,552 deaths and a 5.7% share of total deaths.
- Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): Stroke was the fifth leading cause of death, with 165,393 deaths and a 5% share of total deaths.
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases: Chronic lower respiratory diseases were the sixth leading cause of death, with 147,382 deaths and a 4.5% share of total deaths. This category includes conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, and bronchitis.
- Diabetes: Diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death, with 101,209 deaths and a 3.1% share of total deaths. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes fall under this category, with Type 1 requiring daily insulin injections and Type 2 characterised by the body's inability to effectively use insulin.
- Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease, which includes conditions such as nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis, was the ninth leading cause of death, with 57,937 deaths and a 1.8% share of total deaths.
- Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis (kidney disease): These conditions were the ninth leading cause of death, with 57,937 deaths and a 1.8% share of total deaths.
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis were the tenth leading cause of death, with 54,803 deaths and a 1.7% share of total deaths.
Worldwide, the top 10 causes of death in 2022 were:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart attack and stroke – causing about 19.8 million deaths or approximately 32% of all global deaths.
- Cancers (various types) – a major cause of death, notably prominent in both high-income and OECD countries.
- Chronic respiratory diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Stroke (a form of cerebrovascular disease)
- Lower respiratory infections
- Diabetes mellitus
- Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
- Diarrheal diseases
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Liver diseases such as cirrhosis
COVID-19 remains a significant cause of death, ranking highly in 2021, but its impact has been declining post-peak pandemic years. Noncommunicable diseases dominate global mortality, accounting for roughly 74% of deaths worldwide, driven by aging populations and lifestyle factors. Most of these diseases are at least partly preventable through managing behavioral risks such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, inactivity, and alcohol use.
- In contextualizing the health landscape, heart disease, cancer, and accidents continue to be the leading causes of death in the United States.
- Retargeting health interventions towards lowering alcohol use and promoting fitness and exercise could potentially impact heart disease statistics significantly.
- Depression, a common mental health issue, often co-exists with conditions like heart disease and diabetes, making it crucial for integrated therapies and treatments.
- Bipolar and other neurological disorders might be linked to chronic diseases, necessitating research collaborations in predictive science and environmental-science.
- Diabetes mellitus, especially Type 2, is closely associated with obesity, suggesting a need for focused weight-management initiatives.
- Ulcerative colitis and other digestive-health conditions could be exacerbated by unhealthy diets and uncontrolled stress, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and workplace-wellness programs.
- Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, could be better managed with aq-based treatments, given the aq's healing properties.
- Climate change and its effects on food-and-drink production could worsen malnutrition and related chronic diseases, requiring urgent policy measures and cybersecurity safeguards to protect food supplies.
- Age-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular health issues affect both men and women's health, indicating the necessity of gender-inclusive health-and-wellness strategies.
- Early detection of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer is essential, propelling the development of preventive screening methods and predictive technologies in medicine.
- Medications such as Paxlovid and metformin play vital roles in managing chronic diseases and their complications.
- Education about the risks of disease and the importance of consistent medical-care is vital to empowering individuals in disease management.
- Eye-health issues like cataracts and glaucoma could be linked to aging and chronic diseases, making them a part of routine health checks.
- Hearing loss is a growing concern worldwide, particularly among aging populations, emphasizing the need for continuous research and investment in addressing this issue.
- Maintaining good health-and-wellness practices, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and balanced nutrition, can help prevent and manage chronic diseases.
- Workplace wellness programs promoting health and fitness could reduce employee absenteeism due to accidents and chronic diseases, benefiting the business industry.
- Home-and-garden modifications could contribute to preventing accidental falls among elderly individuals, addressing a cause of preventable injuries.
- Technological advancements in medical-care, such as AI assistants, could improve patient care and disease management in the medical-industry.
- Incorporating CBD into therapies for various chronic conditions could provide new avenues for pain management and symptom relief.
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus could benefit from innovative therapies in the pipeline.
- Space exploration could contribute to understanding and addressing potential health risks associated with long-term space travel, a concern for future space missions.
- Defense against cyber threats to healthcare data is essential for maintaining patient privacy and preventing breaches that could compromise chronic-disease tracking and treatment.
- Pets can contribute to mental-health and emotional wellbeing, making them an important consideration in aging and personal-finance discussions.
- Travel-related factors, such as jet lag and vacation indulgences, can negatively impact health, worth keeping in mind during holiday planning.
- Maintaining a balanced diet and minimizing alcohol consumption while on vacation can help avoid exacerbating chronic diseases and promoting weight management.
- Diets focused on fitness and weight loss could be supported through investing in weight-management programs and fitness-and-exercise technology.
- Eye examinations and early treatment could help prevent vision loss and related complications, necessitating regular screenings for eye-health checks.
- Proactively addressing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension can help avoid complications such as ulcerative colitis and other digestive issues.
- The development of affordable, accessible, and efficient therapies and treatments in the pharmaceutical industry is crucial for addressing chronic-disease management globally.
- Medications like statins and ACE inhibitors can help manage cardiovascular diseases effectively.
- Early detection and proper management of respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD can prevent complications such as lung cancer and chronic kidney disease.
- Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can potentially be linked to various chronic diseases, highlighting the importance of sleep hygiene in overall health.
- Skincare practices, both UV protection and hydration, can help prevent skin conditions such as psoriasis and facilitate healing from diseases like diabetes.
- Maintaining a balance between work and life can promote mental health and stress management, reducing depression incidence.
- Parenting education programs that emphasize healthy lifestyle choices, early disease detection, and mental-health support can equip parents with the knowledge they need to support their children's well-being and growth.
