US records lowest mortality rate in 2025, CDC says

The United States recorded its lowest death rate in history in 2025, according to provisional federal data released Thursday. The age-adjusted mortality rate fell 4.6% from the previous year to 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, marking the lowest level since the government began tracking the data over a century ago.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics estimates 3,094,593 people died in the United States last year. The decline occurred across every age group and among both men and women, contributing to an expected increase in life expectancy. Officials cautioned that the findings are preliminary, based on death certificates processed so far, with final statistics to be released later this year.

Heart disease remained the nation's leading cause of death, accounting for an estimated 694,708 deaths. Cancer ranked second with 622,832 deaths, followed by unintentional injuries, which include accidental drug overdoses and motor vehicle crashes. Health experts noted that a continued decline in fatal drug overdoses played a significant role in lowering the overall mortality rate. COVID-19, a major driver of deaths during the pandemic,...