Common causes of death in people aged 20-24 in the United States include illnesses, accidents, and conditions present at birth (congenital).
1
Unintentional Injuries
According to the CDC, unintentional injuries accounted for 43% of deaths among people aged 20-24 years old in 2021.
However, some people who die from being exposed to these drugs have asubstance use disorder. They may die from an overdose or from complications that happen when more than one substance is used at the same time.
In some cases, a person dies after using a substance that they didn’t realizehad been mixed or “laced” withsomething else.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
To protect yourself, wear your seat belt, drive defensively, and avoid risky behaviors (like driving while texting) when you’re behind the wheel.
2SuicideSuicidewas the second leading cause of death among people ages 20-24 in 2021, accounting for 16.8% of deaths.A person of any age can havesuicidal thoughts, but there is a risingmental health crisis among youthin the U.S.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
2
SuicideSuicidewas the second leading cause of death among people ages 20-24 in 2021, accounting for 16.8% of deaths.A person of any age can havesuicidal thoughts, but there is a risingmental health crisis among youthin the U.S.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Suicide
Suicidewas the second leading cause of death among people ages 20-24 in 2021, accounting for 16.8% of deaths.
A person of any age can havesuicidal thoughts, but there is a risingmental health crisis among youthin the U.S.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
3HomicideHomicide, or murder, was the third-leading cause of death in 2021 and was responsible for 15.6% of deaths for people in the 20-24 age group.Most of these homicides were committed with firearms.Reaching out for help if you’re experiencingdomestic violenceor if you are at risk of neighborhood gun violence are key steps that you can take.If you have firearms in your home, it’s important that they are kept safely—particularly if you have children.
3
HomicideHomicide, or murder, was the third-leading cause of death in 2021 and was responsible for 15.6% of deaths for people in the 20-24 age group.Most of these homicides were committed with firearms.Reaching out for help if you’re experiencingdomestic violenceor if you are at risk of neighborhood gun violence are key steps that you can take.If you have firearms in your home, it’s important that they are kept safely—particularly if you have children.
Homicide
Homicide, or murder, was the third-leading cause of death in 2021 and was responsible for 15.6% of deaths for people in the 20-24 age group.Most of these homicides were committed with firearms.
Reaching out for help if you’re experiencingdomestic violenceor if you are at risk of neighborhood gun violence are key steps that you can take.
If you have firearms in your home, it’s important that they are kept safely—particularly if you have children.
4COVID-19In 2021, 4.2% of deaths in people ages 20-24 were related to COVID-19.As of 2021 data from the CDC, COVID has become the third-leading cause of death for all ages in the U.S.This is expected to decline, however, since most people have some immunity to the virus through exposure or vaccination.People of any age who have certain risk factors, like obesity and underlying medical conditions, are more likely to die from or with COVID.COVID can lead to death when the infection leads to complications like sepsis, blood clots, and organ failure, or if it affects respiratory function.In some cases, COVID is considered a contributing cause of death. For example, a young person with cancer may have had cancer listed as their primary cause of death on their death certificate, but having had COVID was considered a contributing factor.The best way to prevent COVID is to get vaccinated (and boosted) and take precautions, like masking and social distancing.
4
COVID-19In 2021, 4.2% of deaths in people ages 20-24 were related to COVID-19.As of 2021 data from the CDC, COVID has become the third-leading cause of death for all ages in the U.S.This is expected to decline, however, since most people have some immunity to the virus through exposure or vaccination.People of any age who have certain risk factors, like obesity and underlying medical conditions, are more likely to die from or with COVID.COVID can lead to death when the infection leads to complications like sepsis, blood clots, and organ failure, or if it affects respiratory function.In some cases, COVID is considered a contributing cause of death. For example, a young person with cancer may have had cancer listed as their primary cause of death on their death certificate, but having had COVID was considered a contributing factor.The best way to prevent COVID is to get vaccinated (and boosted) and take precautions, like masking and social distancing.
COVID-19
In 2021, 4.2% of deaths in people ages 20-24 were related to COVID-19.
As of 2021 data from the CDC, COVID has become the third-leading cause of death for all ages in the U.S.This is expected to decline, however, since most people have some immunity to the virus through exposure or vaccination.
People of any age who have certain risk factors, like obesity and underlying medical conditions, are more likely to die from or with COVID.
COVID can lead to death when the infection leads to complications like sepsis, blood clots, and organ failure, or if it affects respiratory function.
In some cases, COVID is considered a contributing cause of death. For example, a young person with cancer may have had cancer listed as their primary cause of death on their death certificate, but having had COVID was considered a contributing factor.
The best way to prevent COVID is to get vaccinated (and boosted) and take precautions, like masking and social distancing.
5CancerCancer(malignant neoplasms) caused about 2.9% of deaths in the 20-24 age group in 2021.Although there is no definitive way to prevent cancer, you can reduce your risk. Some general steps you can take to support your overall health include:Eating a nutritious dietStaying physically activeManaging stressProtecting your skinfrom the sunGetting regularcancer screeningsas recommendedNot smoking or using tobacco (orquittingif you do)Talk to your provider about specific steps you can take to lower your risk for cancer. It is also important to know the early signs andsymptoms of cancerso you can seek treatment in the early stages when you have the best possible chance of successful treatment.
5
CancerCancer(malignant neoplasms) caused about 2.9% of deaths in the 20-24 age group in 2021.Although there is no definitive way to prevent cancer, you can reduce your risk. Some general steps you can take to support your overall health include:Eating a nutritious dietStaying physically activeManaging stressProtecting your skinfrom the sunGetting regularcancer screeningsas recommendedNot smoking or using tobacco (orquittingif you do)Talk to your provider about specific steps you can take to lower your risk for cancer. It is also important to know the early signs andsymptoms of cancerso you can seek treatment in the early stages when you have the best possible chance of successful treatment.
Cancer
Cancer(malignant neoplasms) caused about 2.9% of deaths in the 20-24 age group in 2021.
Although there is no definitive way to prevent cancer, you can reduce your risk. Some general steps you can take to support your overall health include:
Talk to your provider about specific steps you can take to lower your risk for cancer. It is also important to know the early signs andsymptoms of cancerso you can seek treatment in the early stages when you have the best possible chance of successful treatment.
6
Heart Disease
In 2021, about 2.5% of deaths in people ages 20-24 were fromheart disease.
Many young people who have heart disease were born with it (congenital heart disease).
7
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetescaused about 1.0% of deaths among people ages 20 to 24 in 2021.
People with diabetes live longer now than they used to because of advances in how the disease is treated. However, it can still cause complications.
For example, having diabetes increases your risk of havingheart attacks and strokes.
Bothtype 1 and type 2 diabeteshave been found to have a genetic predisposition, as well as environmental triggers.
Is Diabetes Genetic?
People withtype 2 diabetescan also manage the condition through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.
Preventing Diabetes Complications
8Congenital AbnormalitiesCongenital conditions (also calledanomalies) are those that people are born with. In 2021, these conditions accounted for 0.9% of deaths among people ages 20-24.One example of this type of condition iscystic fibrosis.Since these conditions happen before a person is born, people who are pregnant can be screened to find out if a fetus is at risk for certain conditions.For someone living with a congenital condition, preventing complications comes down to learning how to manage the condition and having a team of providers that they can work with.What Does Congenital Mean?
8
Congenital AbnormalitiesCongenital conditions (also calledanomalies) are those that people are born with. In 2021, these conditions accounted for 0.9% of deaths among people ages 20-24.One example of this type of condition iscystic fibrosis.Since these conditions happen before a person is born, people who are pregnant can be screened to find out if a fetus is at risk for certain conditions.For someone living with a congenital condition, preventing complications comes down to learning how to manage the condition and having a team of providers that they can work with.What Does Congenital Mean?
Congenital Abnormalities
Congenital conditions (also calledanomalies) are those that people are born with. In 2021, these conditions accounted for 0.9% of deaths among people ages 20-24.
One example of this type of condition iscystic fibrosis.
Since these conditions happen before a person is born, people who are pregnant can be screened to find out if a fetus is at risk for certain conditions.
For someone living with a congenital condition, preventing complications comes down to learning how to manage the condition and having a team of providers that they can work with.
What Does Congenital Mean?
9
Complicated Pregnancy
About 0.7% of deaths among people ages 20-24 occurred during pregnancy or during/after childbirth.
There are several reasons that people can die during pregnancy or while giving birth, including:
You can’t always control whether these complications happen to you. However, there are some general steps that you can take to lower the chances that they’ll happen, such as:
What to Know About Getting a Flu Shot During Pregnancy
10
Cerebrovascular Diseases
In 2021, cerebrovascular diseases accounted for about 0.5% of deaths among people between the ages of 20-24.
Examples of these conditions include:
There are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing these conditions and prevent complications from them, such as:
What Are the Leading Causes of Infant Deaths in the U.S.?
Summary
Even if you can’t prevent a disease, you often can reduce your risk of complications from it—including death. Talk to your provider about your risks and work together on lowering them.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe most common types of cancer that young adults (ages 20-39) get include:Breast cancerLymphomas(non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin)Melanoma(skin cancer)Sarcomas(cancers of the bone, muscles, or certain other tissues)Cervicalandovarian cancersThyroid cancerTesticular cancerColorectal cancerBrainandspinal cord tumors
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common types of cancer that young adults (ages 20-39) get include:Breast cancerLymphomas(non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin)Melanoma(skin cancer)Sarcomas(cancers of the bone, muscles, or certain other tissues)Cervicalandovarian cancersThyroid cancerTesticular cancerColorectal cancerBrainandspinal cord tumors
The most common types of cancer that young adults (ages 20-39) get include:
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Deaths: Leading causes for 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.10 Leading Causes of Death, United States 2021, All Deaths with drilldown to ICD codes, Age 20-24, All Sexes, All Races, All Ethnicities.U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2022.National Safety Council.Car crash deaths and rates.Pew Research Center.What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.Slater TA, Straw S, Drozd M, Kamalathasan S, Cowley A, Witte KK.Dying ‘due to’ or ‘with’ COVID-19: a cause of death analysis in hospitalised patients.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(5):e189-e190. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0440Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk of COVID-19-related mortality.Ketcham SW, Bolig TC, Molling DJ, Sjoding MW, Flanders SA, Prescott HC.Causes and circumstances of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2021;18(6):1076-1079. doi:10.1513/annalsats.202011-1381rlElezkurtaj S, Greuel S, Ihlow J, et al.Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82862-5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 as the underlying or contributing cause of death.National Cancer Institute.Cancer prevention overview (PDQ)-Patient version.World Health Organization.Diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Genetics of diabetes.American Heart Association.5 critical steps to help prevent a stroke.American Cancer Society.Types of cancers that develop in young adults.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Deaths: Leading causes for 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.10 Leading Causes of Death, United States 2021, All Deaths with drilldown to ICD codes, Age 20-24, All Sexes, All Races, All Ethnicities.U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2022.National Safety Council.Car crash deaths and rates.Pew Research Center.What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.Slater TA, Straw S, Drozd M, Kamalathasan S, Cowley A, Witte KK.Dying ‘due to’ or ‘with’ COVID-19: a cause of death analysis in hospitalised patients.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(5):e189-e190. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0440Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk of COVID-19-related mortality.Ketcham SW, Bolig TC, Molling DJ, Sjoding MW, Flanders SA, Prescott HC.Causes and circumstances of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2021;18(6):1076-1079. doi:10.1513/annalsats.202011-1381rlElezkurtaj S, Greuel S, Ihlow J, et al.Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82862-5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 as the underlying or contributing cause of death.National Cancer Institute.Cancer prevention overview (PDQ)-Patient version.World Health Organization.Diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Genetics of diabetes.American Heart Association.5 critical steps to help prevent a stroke.American Cancer Society.Types of cancers that develop in young adults.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Deaths: Leading causes for 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.10 Leading Causes of Death, United States 2021, All Deaths with drilldown to ICD codes, Age 20-24, All Sexes, All Races, All Ethnicities.U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2022.National Safety Council.Car crash deaths and rates.Pew Research Center.What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.Slater TA, Straw S, Drozd M, Kamalathasan S, Cowley A, Witte KK.Dying ‘due to’ or ‘with’ COVID-19: a cause of death analysis in hospitalised patients.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(5):e189-e190. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0440Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk of COVID-19-related mortality.Ketcham SW, Bolig TC, Molling DJ, Sjoding MW, Flanders SA, Prescott HC.Causes and circumstances of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2021;18(6):1076-1079. doi:10.1513/annalsats.202011-1381rlElezkurtaj S, Greuel S, Ihlow J, et al.Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82862-5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 as the underlying or contributing cause of death.National Cancer Institute.Cancer prevention overview (PDQ)-Patient version.World Health Organization.Diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Genetics of diabetes.American Heart Association.5 critical steps to help prevent a stroke.American Cancer Society.Types of cancers that develop in young adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Deaths: Leading causes for 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.10 Leading Causes of Death, United States 2021, All Deaths with drilldown to ICD codes, Age 20-24, All Sexes, All Races, All Ethnicities.
U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2022.
National Safety Council.Car crash deaths and rates.
Pew Research Center.What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
Slater TA, Straw S, Drozd M, Kamalathasan S, Cowley A, Witte KK.Dying ‘due to’ or ‘with’ COVID-19: a cause of death analysis in hospitalised patients.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(5):e189-e190. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0440
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk of COVID-19-related mortality.
Ketcham SW, Bolig TC, Molling DJ, Sjoding MW, Flanders SA, Prescott HC.Causes and circumstances of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2021;18(6):1076-1079. doi:10.1513/annalsats.202011-1381rl
Elezkurtaj S, Greuel S, Ihlow J, et al.Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82862-5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 as the underlying or contributing cause of death.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer prevention overview (PDQ)-Patient version.
World Health Organization.Diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Genetics of diabetes.
American Heart Association.5 critical steps to help prevent a stroke.
American Cancer Society.Types of cancers that develop in young adults.
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