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CDC: US Death Rate Fell in 2025, But Flu Surges
2 Jul
Summary
- US provisional death rate dropped 4.6% in 2025.
- Fatal drug overdoses declined, aiding the overall decrease.
- Influenza and pneumonia deaths surged 17%, becoming a leading cause.
In 2025, the United States observed a provisional 4.6% decrease in its age-adjusted death rate, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people. This marks a continuation of the downward trend since the peak mortality observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. A significant factor contributing to this overall reduction was a sustained decline in fatal drug overdoses.
Despite the general decrease, deaths attributed to influenza and pneumonia saw a notable increase of 17% in 2025, totaling 56,511. This surge elevated their ranking to the eighth leading cause of mortality, up from eleventh the previous year. Health officials noted that the severe flu season in early 2025 likely contributed to these higher numbers and potentially to a roughly 1.6% rise in heart disease deaths.
