
Chronic Diseases Now Top America's Death Toll in 2024
Life expectancy in the U.S. has risen from roughly 30 years in 1776 to nearly 80 today, as infectious diseases declined and chronic conditions became the leading killers; in 2024, heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and suicide were the top causes of death, reflecting a shift shaped by vaccines, sanitation, medical advances and lifestyle factors.











