What Drives Differences in Life Expectancy between the U.S. and Comparable Countries? February 14, 2025 Issue Brief This analysis compares 2021 data about deaths in the U.S. and 11 other large, wealthy countries by age and cause to understand the primary drivers of the longevity gap between the U.S. and the comparable countries. It finds that the primary reasons for the gap in 2021 were chronic disease, COVID-19 and substance use disorders.
Drug Overdose Deaths Have Declined Nationally and in Most States, Though Some States Have Seen Increases February 6, 2020 Slide While drug overdose deaths have declined nationally and in most states, 19 states have seen increases since 2017.
COVID-19 Now Leading Cause of Death in the United States February 2, 2021 Slide In January 2021, the number of deaths from COVID-19 increased so rapidly that it has clearly become the number one cause of death in the U.S., with an average of more than 3,000 people per day dying of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of Jan. 26. Learn more in this Chart of the Week from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
During Pandemic, Higher Premature Excess Deaths in U.S. Compared to Peer Countries Partly Driven by Racial Disparities April 14, 2021 Slide Among excess deaths in 2020, the average person lost 14 years of life in the U.S. compared to an average of 8 years in peer countries before the age of 75. The higher premature excess mortality rate among people of color in the U.S., and in the U.S. as a whole compared to similar countries, is likely due in part to higher COVID-19 risk factor rates and broader racial inequities.
