US Life Expectancy Hits Record High in 2024 as Overdose and Covid-19 Deaths Fall
In 2024, life expectancy in the United States reached an all-time high of 79 years, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This increase follows a troubling decline of nearly a year and a half observed between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in life expectancy is primarily attributed to a significant drop in overall death rates.
Decline in Death Rates
Death rates fell by 4% from 2023 to 2024, resulting in more than half a year gained in life expectancy. The CDC reported approximately 722 deaths for every 100,000 individuals, translating to nearly 3.1 million total deaths in the country. The decrease in death rates reflects an improvement across the ten leading causes of death, which account for over 70% of fatalities in the US.
Leading Causes of Death
- Heart Disease: Over 600,000 deaths
- Cancer: Over 600,000 deaths
- Drug Overdose: More than 79,000 deaths
- Other major causes include stroke, respiratory diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Heart disease and cancer continue to be the leading causes of death. Notably, the category of unintentional injuries, a significant contributor to drug overdose deaths, saw a sharp decline in 2024.
Drug Overdose Trends
Despite the enduring crisis of drug overdoses, rates are finally on the decline. Overdose deaths, which had surged during the pandemic, fell by over 26% in 2024. Fentanyl remains the leading substance involved in these deaths, though its prevalence is decreasing.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses
- 60% of overdose deaths involved fentanyl or synthetic opioids in 2024.
- Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine and cocaine also saw declines.
While drug overdoses remain a leading cause of death, the CDC’s preliminary data indicates a continued decline into 2025.
Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 was once the third leading cause of death in the US during the pandemic. By 2024, it had dropped to the tenth position and was ultimately out of the top ten causes of death altogether, replaced by suicide. Annual COVID-19 deaths continue to occur, but the toll from this virus is decreasing.
Suicide Rates and Mental Health Concerns
Suicide rates reached a record high in 2022 and have only slightly improved since. In 2024, over 14 million adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration highlights these concerns, noting that 4.6 million adults made plans for suicide, and 2.2 million attempted it.
Disparities in Life Expectancy
Women in the US can expect to live longer than men, with life expectancy rising to 81.4 years for women and 76.5 years for men in 2024. However, disparities in death rates continue to exist among different racial and ethnic groups. American Indian and Black men still face the highest age-adjusted death rates.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
- American Indian men: Approximately 1,200 deaths per 100,000
- Black men: Approximately 1,000 deaths per 100,000
Death rates dropped across all age groups except for children aged 5 to 14, whose rates remained steady.
Infant Mortality Rates
After a concerning spike in 2022, infant mortality rates are recovering slowly. In 2024, over 20,000 infants died before their first birthday, equating to 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. This issue prompted Mississippi’s health department to declare a public health emergency.
The upward trend in US life expectancy, driven by a decrease in overdose and COVID-19 deaths, highlights the critical need for ongoing public health efforts in mental health and substance use prevention.
