Deaths: Final Data for 2020.

Objective-This report presents final 2020 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality, and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death. Methods-Information reported on death certificates is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Beginning in 2018, all states and the District of Columbia were using the 2003 revised certificate of death for the entire year, which includes the 1997 Office of Management and Budget revised standards for race. Data based on these revised standards are not completely comparable to previous years. Results-In 2020, a total of 3,383,729 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 835.4 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, an increase of 16.8% from the 2019 rate. Life expectancy at birth was 77.0 years, a decrease of 1.8 years from 2019. Age-specific death rates increased from 2019 to 2020 for age groups 15 years and over and decreased for age group under 1 year. Many of the 15 leading causes of death in 2020 changed from 2019. COVID-19, a new cause of death in 2020, became the third leading cause in 2020. The infant mortality rate decreased 2.9% to a historic low of 5.42 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020. Conclusions-In 2020, the age-adjusted death rate increased and life expectancy at birth decreased for the total, male, and female populations, primarily due to the influence of deaths from COVID-19.

Deaths: Final Data for 2018.

Objectives-This report presents final 2018 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality, and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death. The race categories are consistent with 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards, which are different from previous reports (1977 OMB standards). Methods-Information reported on death certificates is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. As of 2018, all states and the District of Columbia were using the 2003 revised certificate of death, which includes the 1997 OMB revised standards for race. The 2018 data based on the revised standards are not completely comparable to previous years. Selected estimates are presented in this report for both the revised and previous race standards to provide some reference for interpretation of trends. Results-In 2018, a total of 2,839,205 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 723.6 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, a decrease of 1.1% from the 2017 rate. Life expectancy at birth was 78.7 years, an increase of 0.1 year from 2017. Age-specific death rates decreased in 2018 from 2017 for age groups 15-24, 25-34, 45-54, 65-74, 75-84, and 85 and over. The 15 leading causes of death in 2018 remained the same as in 2017. The infant mortality rate decreased 2.2% to a historically low figure of 5.66 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018. Conclusions-The age-adjusted death rate for the total, male, and female populations decreased from 2017 to 2018, and life expectancy at birth increased in 2018 for the total, male, and female populations.

United States Life Tables, 2016.

Objectives-This report presents complete period life tables for the United States by race, Hispanic origin, and sex, based on age-specific death rates in 2016. Methods-Data used to prepare the 2016 life tables are 2016 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2016 population estimates based on the 2010 decennial census; and 2016 Medicare data for persons aged 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the life tables for the Hispanic population remains unchanged from that developed for the publication of life tables by Hispanic origin for data year 2006. The methodology used to estimate the 2016 life tables for all other groups was first implemented with data year 2008. Results-In 2016, the overall expectation of life at birth was 78.7 years, unchanged from 2015. Between 2015 and 2016, life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.1 year for males (76.3 to 76.2) and did not change for females (81.1). Life expectancy at birth did not change for the white population (78.9) between 2015 and 2016. Life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.2 year for the black population (75.5 to 75.3) and for the non-Hispanic black population (75.1 to 74.9). Life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.1 year for the non-Hispanic white population (78.7 to 78.6) and for the Hispanic population (81.9 to 81.8).

Deaths: Final Data for 2017.

Objectives-This report presents final 2017 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death. Methods-Information reported on death certificates is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Results-In 2017, a total of 2,813,503 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 731.9 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, an increase of 0.4% from the 2016 rate. Life expectancy at birth was 78.6 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from the 2016 rate. Life expectancy decreased from 2016 to 2017 for non-Hispanic white males (0.1 year) and non-Hispanic black males (0.1), and increased for non- Hispanic black females (0.1). Age-specific death rates increased in 2017 from 2016 for age groups 25-34, 35-44, and 85 and over, and decreased for age groups under 1 and 45-54. The 15 leading causes of death in 2017 remained the same as in 2016 although, two causes exchanged ranks. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, the 12th leading cause of death in 2016, became the 11th leading cause of death in 2017, while Septicemia, the 11th leading cause of death in 2016, became the 12th leading cause of death in 2017. The infant mortality rate, 5.79 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017, did not change significantly from the rate of 5.87 in 2016. Conclusions-The age-adjusted death rate for the total, male, and female populations increased from 2016 to 2017 and life expectancy at birth decreased in 2017 for the total and male populations.

Mortality in the United States, 2021.

This report presents final 2021 U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, ageadjusted death rates, age-specific death rates, the 10 leading causes of death,infant mortality rates, and the 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2021 and 2020 final data (1).

Mortality in the United States, 2020.

This report presents final 2020 U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns in U.S. residents by variables such as sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-adjusted death rates, age-specific death rates, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2020 and 2019 final data (1).

Mortality in the United States, 2019.

This report presents final 2019 U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, agespecific death rates, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2019 and 2018 final data (1).

Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021.

This cross-sectional study systematically examines the contributions of COVID-19 and other underlying causes of death to the widened gender life expectancy gap from 2010 to 2021.

Mortality in the United States, 2017.

This report presents final 2017 U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-specific death rates, age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity and sex, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2017 and 2016 final data (1).

Deaths: Final Data for 2016.

This report presents final 2016 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death.

Trends in preterm-related infant mortality by race and ethnicity, United States, 1999-2004.

Trends in preterm-related causes of death were examined by maternal race and ethnicity. A grouping of preterm-related causes of infant death was created by identifying causes that were a direct cause or consequence of preterm birth. Cause-of-death categories were considered to be preterm-related when 75 percent or more of total infant deaths attributed to that cause were deaths of infants born preterm, and the cause was considered to be a direct consequence of preterm birth based on a clinical evaluation and review of the literature. In 2004, 36.5 percent of all infant deaths in the United States were preterm-related, up from 35.4 percent in 1999. The preterm-related infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black mothers was 3.5 times higher and the rate for Puerto Rican mothers was 75 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white mothers. The preterm-related infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black mothers was higher than the total infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic white, Mexican, and Asian or Pacific Islander mothers. The leveling off of the U.S. infant mortality decline since 2000 has been attributed in part to an increase in preterm and low-birthweight births. Continued tracking of preterm-related causes of infant death will improve our understanding of trends in infant mortality in the United States.

Mortality in the United States, 2016.

This report presents final 2016 U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-specific death rates, age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity and sex, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2016 and 2015 final data (1).

Deaths: Final Data for 2015.

Objectives-This report presents final 2015 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death. Methods-Information reported on death certificates, which are completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners, is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Results-In 2015, a total of 2,712,630 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 733.1 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, an increase of 1.2% from the 2014 rate. Life expectancy at birth was 78.8 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from 2014. Life expectancy decreased from 2014 to 2015 for non-Hispanic white males (0.2 year), non-Hispanic white females (0.1), non-Hispanic black males (0.4), non-Hispanic black females (0.1), Hispanic males (0.1), and Hispanic females (0.2). Age-specific death rates increased in 2015 from 2014 for age groups 5-14, 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 55-64, 65-74, and 85 and over. The 15 leading causes of death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014. The infant mortality rate, 5.90 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015, did not change significantly from the rate of 5.82 in 2014. Conclusions-The age-adjusted death rate increased for the first time since 2005. Life expectancy for the total population decreased for the first time since 1993.

The Effect of Changes in Selected Age-specific Causes of Death on Non-Hispanic White Life Expectancy Between 2000 and 2014.

KEY FINDINGS: Data from the National Vital Statistics System, Mortality •Between 2000 and 2014, life expectancy increased by 3.6, 2.6, and 1.4 years, respectively, for non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white persons. •The 1.4-year increase in life expectancy for non-Hispanic white persons would have been greater if not for increases in death rates due to unintentional injuries, suicide, Alzheimer's disease, chronic liver disease, and hypertension. •Increases in death rates due to unintentional injuries, suicide, and chronic liver disease were large enough to increase all-cause non-Hispanic white death rates for ages 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54. •Increases in death rates due to unintentional poisonings for ages 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54 had the greatest impact on the change in life expectancy for non-Hispanic white persons.

Deaths: Final Data for 2013.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents final 2013 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, state of residence, and cause of death. METHODS: Information reported on death certificates, which are completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners, is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. RESULTS: In 2013, a total of 2,596,993 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 731.9 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, a record low figure, but the decrease in 2013 from 2012 was not statistically significant. Life expectancy at birth was 78.8 years, the same as in 2012. Age-specific death rates decreased in 2013 from 2012 for age groups 15­24 and 75­84. Age-specific death rates increased only for age group 55­64. The 15 leading causes of death in 2013 remained the same as in 2012, although Accidents (unintentional injuries), the 5th leading cause of death in 2012, became the 4th leading cause in 2013, while Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), the 4th leading cause in 2012, became the 5th leading cause of death in 2013. The infant mortality rate of 5.96 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 was a historically low value, but it was not significantly different from the 2012 rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although statistically unchanged from 2012, the decline in the age-adjusted death rate is consistent with long-term trends in mortality. Life expectancy in 2013 remained the same as in 2012.

Mortality in the United States, 2015.

KEY FINDINGS: Data from the National Vital Statistics System, Mortality •Life expectancy for the U.S. population in 2015 was 78.8 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from 2014. •The age-adjusted death rate increased 1.2% from 724.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2014 to 733.1 in 2015. •The 10 leading causes of death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014. Age-adjusted death rates increased for eight leading causes and decreased for one. •The infant mortality rate of 589.5 infant deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 was not significantly different from the 2014 rate. •The 10 leading causes of infant death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014, although two causes exchanged ranks. This report presents 2015 U.S. final mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity and sex, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2015 and 2014 final data (1).

Deaths: Final Data for 2014.

Objectives-This report presents final 2014 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, state of residence, and cause of death.

Supplemental analyses of recent trends in infant mortality.

U.S. preliminary data for 2002 show a significant increase in the infant mortality rate to 7.0 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, the first rise in the infant mortality rate since 1958. The increase in infant mortality was concentrated in the neonatal period, particularly in deaths occurring within seven days of birth. Partially edited fetal death data suggest that the increase in neonatal mortality was accompanied by a decline in the late fetal mortality rate, and thus it appears that the 2002 perinatal mortality rate will remain level. Potential explanatory factors for the changes in the infant mortality rate are examined, including causes of infant death, percentage of births that are preterm, and low birthweight. Data from the 2002 linked birth and infant death file will allow an assessment of the contribution of maternal and infant factors such as multiple births and management of labor and delivery.

Leading Causes of Death Contributing to Decrease in Life Expectancy Gap Between Black and White Populations: United States, 1999-2013.

Life expectancy at birth has increased steadily since 1900 to a record 78.8 years in 2013. But differences in life expectancy between the white and black populations still exist, despite a decrease in the life expectancy gap from 5.9 years in 1999 to 3.6 years in 2013. Differences in the change over time in the leading causes of death for the black and white populations have contributed to this decrease in the gap in life expectancy. Between 1999 and 2013, the decrease in the life expectancy gap between the black and white populations was mostly due to greater decreases in mortality from heart disease, cancer, HIV disease, unintentional injuries, and perinatal conditions among the black population. Similarly, the decrease in the gap between black and white male life expectancy was due to greater decreases in death rates for HIV disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, heart disease, and perinatal conditions in black males. For black females, greater decreases in diabetes death rates, combined with decreased rates for heart disease and HIV disease, were the major causes contributing to the decrease in the life expectancy gap with white females. The decrease in the gap in life expectancy between the white and black populations would have been larger than 3.6 years if not for increases in death rates for the black population for aortic aneurysm, Alzheimer's disease, and maternal conditions. For black males, the causes that showed increases in death rates over white males were hypertension, aortic aneurysm, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and kidney disease, while the causes that showed increases in death rates for black females were Alzheimer's disease, maternal conditions, and atherosclerosis. This NCHS Data Brief is the second in a series of data briefs that explore the causes of death contributing to differences in life expectancy between detailed ethnic and racial populations in the United States. The first data brief focused on the racial differences in life expectancy for a single year, 2010 (3).

Deaths: Final Data for 2011.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents final 2011 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, state of residence, and cause of death. METHODS: Information reported on death certificates, which is completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners, is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. RESULTS: In 2011, a total of 2,515,458 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 741.3 deaths per 100,000 standard population, a decrease of 0.8% from the 2010 rate and a record low figure. Life expectancy at birth in 2011 was unchanged from 2010 at 78.7 years. Age-specific death rates decreased in 2011 from 2010 for age groups under 1 year, 65­74, 75­84, and 85 and over. Age-specific death rates increased for age groups 25­34 and 45­54. The leading causes of death in 2011 remained the same as in 2010, although two causes exchanged ranks. Kidney disease, the eighth leading cause in 2010, became the ninth leading cause in 2011, while Influenza and pneumonia, the ninth leading cause in 2010, became the eighth leading cause of death in 2011. The infant mortality rate of 6.07 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 was a historically low value. CONCLUSION: The decline of the age-adjusted death rate to a record low value for the United States is consistent with long-term trends in mortality.