Heart Disease and Cancer Remained Top Causes of Death
The 2024 mortality data shows these conditions accounted for nearly half of all recorded deaths nationwide.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Cancer
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In 2024, the United States recorded 3,072,666 total deaths, with heart disease and cancer identified as the leading causes. This retrospective data from the CDC confirms these two conditions caused 42% of all deaths during the year.
Why it matters
Identifying leading causes of mortality helps public health officials prioritize preventive care and resource allocation for the most common chronic conditions. The exclusion of COVID-19 from the top 10 list marks a significant shift in the post-pandemic health landscape.
These findings are derived from final mortality data aggregated by the National Center for Health Statistics using death certificates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While the report tracks the 10 leading causes of death, the underlying environmental factors for these trends require further investigation.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The national public health agency responsible for protecting Americans from health and safety threats through data analysis and disease monitoring.
National Center for Health Statistics
A division of the CDC that provides the official statistical data to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people.
The details
The mortality data relies on official death certificates issued across the country to track causes of death. Heart disease and cancer consistently rank at the top, while the return of suicide to the top 10 list and the shift of COVID-19 to 15th place highlight evolving health patterns. Infant mortality remains a critical focus, with 20,050 recorded deaths in 2024, 4,061 of which were attributed to congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities.
Timeline
In 2023, the United States recorded 3,090,964 total deaths.
In 2024, the United States recorded 3,072,666 total deaths.
Health Landscape
This report continues the long-standing surveillance conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics mortality surveillance system to track population-level health shifts. It provides a baseline for understanding how the leading chronic killers, heart disease and cancer, maintain their prevalence relative to emerging health threats.
The continued prominence of heart disease and cancer underscores the importance of discussing age-appropriate screenings and preventive heart health metrics with your physician. Recognizing personal risk factors and maintaining regular checkups are key steps in managing these leading health concerns.
The takeaway
Chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer remain the most significant public health challenges for the U.S. population. Maintaining consistent communication with your doctor about your health history and necessary screenings is the most effective way to address these long-term risks.
Further reading
For broader trends in mortality and long-term health outcomes, review the latest updates in Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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