COVID-19 Reported as Third Leading Cause of Death in 2020 in the U.S.

COVID-19 Reported as Third Leading Cause of Death in 2020 in the U.S.

Federal health researchers report the study from the past year.

  • By Shereen Hashem
  • Apr 02, 2021

Following heart disease and cancer, COVID-19 was officially the third leading cause of death in 2020. This displaced unintentional injuries as the usual third place spot, federal health researchers reported. Coronavirus took 345,323 lives of Americans solely last year.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in about 30,000 additional cases, death certificates cited COVID-19, however, it wasn’t considered the cause of death. In addition to COVID-19, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s also claimed higher numbers in deaths, known as excess deaths.

“There’s a substantial number of excess deaths, beyond what we would have expected in a normal year,” said Robert Anderson, chief of the mortality statistics branch at the N.C.H.S. and a senior author of two reports published by the CDC. While deaths from heart disease and other illnesses should have increased slightly because of the aging of the population, “this is way up and beyond what we would expect,” Dr. Anderson added.

In a second report issued Wednesday, Dr. Anderson said he and his colleagues determined throughout 378,000 death certificates that claimed to be the source of unrelated causes, such as heart attacks, they found that coronavirus was an underlying factor in the majority of cases.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, people were claiming deaths were simply being attributed to Covid when people were dying of other causes,” Dr. Anderson said. “We show that’s not the case.” The researchers’ examination also shows that conditions on death certificates, like pneumonia or respiratory failure, were also consistent with those who died of COVID-19, according to doctors.

The disease’s death rates were highest among men. The most common subcategory is elderly people aged 85 and older.

About the Author

Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

Product Showcase

  • EMSL Analytical, Inc. - Air Sampling Supplies & Testing Labs

    EMSL Analytical, Inc. operates laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for Asbestos, Mold, Silica, Lead & Metals, Bacteria, Legionella, USP , Combustion By-Products, VOC’s, Radon, PCB’s, Formaldehyde, METH/Fentanyl, Identification of Dust & Unknowns. Sampling Pumps, Cassettes, Media & Supplies available. Reach us at 1-800.220.3675 3

  • Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. 3

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm 3

Featured

Most   Popular