U.S-Burden-of-Disease-Report-2010-2021
U.S. Burden of Disease Report (2010–2021): Cause-Specific Morality, Risk Factors, and Policy Insights.
This report highlights U.S findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study (GBD 2021) dataset, focusing on understanding current mortality rates, cause-specific mortality, and associated risk factors for men and women across all ages.
Provided is an executive summary followed by a more detailed report. The How To Read This Report primer explains key metrics such as ASMR, YLLs, DALYs, SEV, and PAF in simple terms!
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By Antony Guillen Hernandez.
Date Published: September 15, 2025.
Executive Summary
Leading Causes of Mortality in the U.S. and Trends (2010-2021)
- Ischemic heart disease: 493,159 deaths (ASMR: 78.9), down 16.5%.
- COVID-19: 483,557 deaths (ASMR: 86.1), emerged in 2020.
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias: 198,341 deaths (ASMR: 29.2), down 0.9%.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): 198,013 deaths (ASMR: 31.3), down 5.3%.
- Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer: 175,469 deaths (ASMR: 28.9), down 25.4%.
- Ischemic stroke: 115,534 deaths (ASMR: 17.3), up 3.6%.
- Colon and rectum cancer: 75,082 deaths (ASMR: 12.8), down 12.5%.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2: 70,708 deaths (ASMR: 11.8), down 16.5%.
- Hypertensive heart disease: 68,682 deaths (ASMR: 11.4), up 22.3%.
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: 58,167 deaths (ASMR: 9.7), down 11.1%.
- Opioid use disorders: 55,454 deaths (ASMR: 15.4), up 114.8%.
- Breast cancer: 53,471 deaths (ASMR: 9.4), down 12.7%.
- Prostate cancer: 44,029 deaths (ASMR: 6.9), down 6.9%.
Sex-Specific Insights
- Males were disproportionately affected by ‘Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer’, Prostate Cancer and Opioid Use Disorders.
- Females were disproportionately affected by Breast Cancer, Hypertensive Heart Disease, and Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
Risk Factor Trends (2010–2021)
-
Improving: Particulate matter pollution (SEV: –39%), smoking (SEV: –15%), LDL cholesterol (SEV: –3%).
-
Worsening: High systolic blood pressure (SEV: +39%), high fasting plasma glucose (SEV: +16%), high BMI (SEV: +8%), low physical activity (SEV: +20% in men), kidney dysfunction (SEV: +4%).
What this means for policy & practice
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Ischemic Heart Disease remains the top killer, while Hypertensive Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke are rising. Opioid Use Disorders mortality has more than doubled. These areas demand urgent attention to prevent further increases in mortality.
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Declines in ‘Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer’, Colorectal Cancer, Diabetes, and Intracerebral Hemorrhage show that prevention works. Sustaining anti-smoking efforts, cancer screening programs, and other proven interventions will continue this trend.
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High Blood Pressure, High Blood Sugar, Obesity, and Low Physical Activity are all trending upward. These risk factors cut across multiple diseases, amplifying the burden. Addressing them will reduce future deaths.
United States Burden of Disease
This report highlights U.S findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study (GBD 2021) dataset, focusing on understanding current mortality rates, cause-specific mortality, and associated risk factors for men and women across all ages.
Table of Contents
- How To Read This Report
- US Cause-Specific Mortality 2010–2021
- Sex Differences in Mortality
- Cause-Specific Mortality & Risk Attribution
- Risk Exposure Trends 2010-2021
- Citations
How To Read This Report
Data Source: Data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study, grouped by US estimates 2010-2021.
Metrics:
-
ASMR (Age-Standardized Mortality Rate): Deaths per 100k people, adjusted for age. Example: Comparing 2010 vs 2021 heart disease risk without being skewed by an older population.
-
Total Deaths: The raw number of people who died. Useful for planning hospital beds, workforce, budgets.
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All-Age YLLs (Years of Life Lost): Total years of life cut short by early death. Example: If someone dies at 50 instead of 80, that’s 30 YLLs.
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Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs: YLLs per 100k, age-adjusted. Helps compare premature death burden across time and groups.
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DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years): YLLs + years lived with disability. Captures both early death and time spent in poor health.
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SEV (Summary Exposure Value): How much of the population is exposed to a risk × how strong that risk is. Reported as % change between 2010–2021.
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PAFS (Population Attributable Fractions): represent the proportion of disease burden that could be prevented if specific risk exposures were eliminated. PAFs are model-based and generally do not sum to 100% of disease burden.
Estimates include a 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Example: Ischemic heart disease 2021 ASMR = 78.91, but the 95% uncertainty range is (69.67–83.78).
PAF Rating Reference Table
| Risk-Outcome Score (ROS) | Star Rating | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0 | 1 | No or very weak evidence |
| 0 – 0.14 | 2 | Weak evidence (up to 15% ) |
| 0.14 – 0.41 | 3 | Moderate evidence (15–50% increase) |
| 0.41 – 0.62 | 4 | Strong evidence (50–85% increase) |
| > 0.62 | 5 | Very strong evidence (>85% increase) |
[18] Table Extract
US Cause-Specific Mortality 2010–2021
Key Highlights:
- Ischemic heart disease: 493,159 deaths (ASMR: 78.9), down 16.5%.
- COVID-19: 483,557 deaths (ASMR: 86.1), emerged in 2020.
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias: 198,341 deaths (ASMR: 29.2), down 0.9%.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): 198,013 deaths (ASMR: 31.3), down 5.3%.
- Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer: 175,469 deaths (ASMR: 28.9), down 25.4%.
- Ischemic stroke: 115,534 deaths (ASMR: 17.3), up 3.6%.
- Colon and rectum cancer: 75,082 deaths (ASMR: 12.8), down 12.5%.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2: 70,708 deaths (ASMR: 11.8), down 16.5%.
- Hypertensive heart disease: 68,682 deaths (ASMR: 11.4), up 22.3%.
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: 58,167 deaths (ASMR: 9.7), down 11.1%.
- Opioid use disorders: 55,454 deaths (ASMR: 15.4), up 114.8%.
- Breast cancer: 53,471 deaths (ASMR: 9.4), down 12.7%.
- Prostate cancer: 44,029 deaths (ASMR: 6.9), down 6.9%.
| cause | 2010 (ASMR) | 2021 (ASMR) | total_deaths_2010 | total_deaths_2021 | Type | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ischemic heart disease | 94.47 (83.20-100.09) | 78.91 (69.67-83.78) | 465668.8 (403900.5-496118.9) | 493159.3 (429792.2-526475.9) | Cardiovascular disease | 1 |
| COVID-19 | 0.00 (0.00-0.00) | 86.13 (84.42-87.86) | 0.0 (0.0-0.0) | 483557.0 (474047.7-493138.1) | Infectious disease | 2 |
| Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 29.49 (7.47-74.34) | 29.22 (7.43-73.30) | 157783.0 (39943.7-395503.3) | 198341.2 (50556.0-496323.7) | Neurodegenerative disease | 3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 33.07 (29.33-34.85) | 31.31 (27.65-33.18) | 160177.8 (140567.6-169550.5) | 198013.3 (173659.8-210420.3) | Chronic respiratory disease | 4 |
| Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 38.80 (36.02-40.31) | 28.94 (26.55-30.40) | 177100.5 (163380.3-184527.1) | 175469.3 (159995.5-184719.0) | Cancer | 5 |
| Ischemic stroke | 16.72 (13.80-18.23) | 17.33 (14.24-18.93) | 88498.7 (72345.1-96860.7) | 115533.7 (94307.1-126700.0) | Cardiovascular disease | 6 |
| Colon and rectum cancer | 14.62 (13.32-15.37) | 12.79 (11.66-13.51) | 68271.4 (61467.6-72075.5) | 75082.2 (67503.9-79684.8) | Cancer | 7 |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 14.15 (12.86-14.89) | 11.81 (10.75-12.49) | 66941.9 (60132.4-70738.1) | 70707.6 (63673.6-74999.5) | Metabolic disease | 8 |
| Hypertensive heart disease | 9.29 (8.26-9.80) | 11.36 (9.85-12.64) | 44540.9 (38959.0-47305.9) | 68682.2 (58474.5-76752.8) | Cardiovascular disease | 9 |
| Intracerebral hemorrhage | 10.90 (9.82-11.48) | 9.69 (8.73-10.25) | 51183.7 (45422.2-54168.1) | 58166.7 (51856.8-61719.0) | Cardiovascular disease | 10 |
| Opioid use disorders | 7.16 (6.84-7.51) | 15.38 (13.63-17.30) | 24445.8 (23346.0-25598.4) | 55454.0 (48758.5-62835.3) | Substance use disorder | 11 |
| Breast cancer | 10.78 (9.76-11.29) | 9.41 (8.53-9.94) | 48952.1 (43822.2-51538.5) | 53471.4 (47803.3-56779.9) | Cancer | 12 |
| Prostate cancer | 7.42 (6.75-7.77) | 6.91 (6.21-7.32) | 36514.7 (32885.0-38332.1) | 44029.0 (39312.3-46747.1) | Cancer | 13 |
Data extract filtered for United States, 2010–2021 (Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, 2024). Derived Type & Rank features
Sex Differences in Mortality
-
Males in the US share the same leading causes as Females, but rankings differ. We observe that ‘Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer’ has increased in ranking, and that Prostate Cancer & Opioid Use Disorder makes it to this list.
-
Among Females, Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease ranks in the top three alongside Ischemic Heart Disease and COVID-19. Hypertensive Heart Disease also appears in the female top 10, not seen in the Male top 10 list.
View Male Mortality Table
| cause | 2010 (ASMR) | 2021 (ASMR) | total_deaths_2021 | Type | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ischemic heart disease | 125.80 (114.53-131.07) | 108.09 (98.27-113.55) | 281430.9 (256579.6-295340.8) | Cardiovascular disease | 1 |
| COVID-19 | 0.00 (0.00-0.00) | 111.95 (109.74-114.21) | 271851.9 (266506.3-277321.7) | Infectious disease | 2 |
| Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 48.68 (45.75-50.44) | 34.77 (32.48-36.35) | 94731.5 (88596.5-98908.0) | Cancer | 3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 38.02 (34.61-39.71) | 34.59 (31.53-36.30) | 93157.7 (85247.4-97580.7) | Chronic respiratory disease | 4 |
| Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 25.65 (6.29-66.71) | 25.64 (6.32-66.08) | 65646.9 (16224.5-170705.7) | Neurodegenerative disease | 5 |
| Prostate cancer | 18.68 (16.77-19.64) | 16.47 (14.62-17.53) | 44029.0 (39312.3-46747.1) | Cancer | 6 |
| Ischemic stroke | 15.54 (13.52-16.55) | 16.77 (14.60-17.94) | 43513.1 (38055.3-46497.3) | Cardiovascular disease | 7 |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 17.01 (15.79-17.73) | 15.14 (14.02-15.90) | 39860.2 (37009.7-41828.2) | Metabolic disease | 8 |
| Colon and rectum cancer | 17.46 (16.29-18.19) | 15.16 (14.13-15.91) | 39375.2 (36650.6-41300.7) | Cancer | 9 |
| Opioid use disorders | 9.28 (8.81-9.79) | 21.06 (18.84-23.70) | 37238.4 (33078.6-42161.5) | Substance use disorder | 10 |
Data extract filtered for United States (Male), 2010–2021 (Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, 2024). Derived Type & Rank features
View Female Mortality Table
| cause | 2010 (ASMR) | 2021 (ASMR) | total_deaths_2021 | Type | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ischemic heart disease | 69.97 (58.69-75.78) | 55.29 (46.28-60.03) | 211728.4 (171773.1-232530.3) | Cardiovascular disease | 1 |
| COVID-19 | 0.00 (0.00-0.00) | 63.36 (62.10-64.62) | 211705.0 (207577.3-215911.7) | Infectious disease | 2 |
| Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 31.85 (8.17-79.44) | 31.65 (8.16-78.43) | 132694.3 (34331.5-325656.2) | Neurodegenerative disease | 3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 29.87 (25.86-31.83) | 28.95 (24.72-31.01) | 104855.6 (88270.9-113104.8) | Chronic respiratory disease | 4 |
| Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 31.10 (28.32-32.66) | 24.22 (21.57-25.66) | 80737.8 (71254.3-85998.3) | Cancer | 5 |
| Ischemic stroke | 17.06 (13.67-18.83) | 17.35 (13.69-19.23) | 72020.6 (56014.6-80386.6) | Cardiovascular disease | 6 |
| Breast cancer | 19.43 (17.77-20.30) | 17.17 (15.66-18.09) | 52868.1 (47230.3-56148.3) | Cancer | 7 |
| Hypertensive heart disease | 7.95 (6.75-8.56) | 9.94 (8.24-10.88) | 37272.1 (29699.2-41374.3) | Cardiovascular disease | 8 |
| Colon and rectum cancer | 12.30 (10.89-13.08) | 10.74 (9.48-11.48) | 35707.1 (30800.8-38470.3) | Cancer | 9 |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 11.84 (10.41-12.61) | 9.01 (7.92-9.65) | 30847.5 (26494.5-33330.8) | Metabolic disease | 10 |
Data extract filtered for United States (FEMALE), 2010–2021 (Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, 2024). Derived Type & Rank features
Cause-Specific Mortality & Risk Attribution
In the following section, each leading cause of mortality is analyzed using a consistent framework that combines medical definitions from the National Library of Medicine, observed trends in disease burden, simple summaries of their public health significance, and the strongest risk contributors supported by quantitative evidence on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Included are risk factor tables that highlight the strength of association between exposures and outcomes, along with attribution estimates that show what percent of each disease is linked to preventable risks.
Cardiovascular diseases
Ischemic heart disease
View Medical Definition
[3] Ischemia is defined as inadequate blood supply (circulation) to a local area due to blockage of the blood vessels supplying the area. Ischemic means that an organ (e.g., the heart) is not getting enough blood and oxygen. Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease, is the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart (coronary) arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs fell from 1,749 → 1,490 per 100k (−15%).
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. It arises when narrowed coronary arteries restrict blood flow to the heart muscle, depriving it of oxygen. The condition can remain silent for years but often culminates in heart attacks or chronic heart failure, making it one of the most devastating and costly public health challenges.
Key risk contributors
- High systolic blood pressure (94k DALYs, very strong evidence).
- Kidney dysfunction (26k DALYS, strong evidence)
- high LDL cholesterol (66k DALYS, moderate evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High systolic blood pressure | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.7 | 5 | 94000 (75600 to 111000) | Metabolic |
| Kidney dysfunction | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.45 | 4 | 26100 (18900 to 33400) | Metabolic |
| High LDL cholesterol | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.32 | 3 | 66700 (47500 to 87000) | Metabolic |
| Particulate matter pollution | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.26 | 3 | 54700 (41700 to 67400) | Environmental/ Occupational |
| Smoking | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.19 | 3 | 35500 (30500 to 40700) | Behavioural |
| Low physical activity | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.18 | 3 | 3900 (1770 to 6120) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in whole grains | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.17 | 3 | 27100 (16900 to 36700) | Behavioural |
| High fasting plasma glucose | Ischaemic heart disease | 0.15 | 3 | 25900 (22300 to 29800) | Metabolic |
Note: Results for IHD risk factors are reduced by (Risk-Outcome Scores > 3) for the table above.
Attribution: The Global Burden of Disease model estimates that 88.8% of IHD could be explained by known, preventable risks. This means that the disease that kills more Americans than anything else is largely within our control.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Ischemic heart disease | 1748.70 (1615.75-1813.47) | 1489.59 (1375.69-1555.73) | 8016850.2 (7326438.9-8353224.0) | 8529036.5 (7800011.7-8941669.1) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths | DALYs | YLDs | YLLs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | ||
| Ischemic heart disease | USA | 88·8 | 89·9 | 88·4 | 89·9 |
| (82·3 – 93·0) | (83·7 – 93·7) | (81·4 – 92·8) | (83·7 – 93·7) |
Ischemic stroke
View Medical Definition
[4] Strokes are classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic, with hemorrhagic strokes further divided into intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Among ischemic strokes, the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification system is commonly used to categorize subtypes, which include: Cardioembolism, Small vessel occlusion, Large artery atherosclerosis, Stroke of undetermined etiology, Stroke of other determined etiology.
Signal: ❌ Worsening
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs increased from 216 → 231 per 100k (+7%).
Stroke is historically the fifth leading cause of death in the US, and ischemic strokes, caused by blocked blood flow to the brain, make up the vast majority of cases. Unlike ischemic heart disease, which has been trending downward, stroke has quietly inched upward.
Key risk contributors
- High LDL cholesterol (21k DALYs, moderate evidence)
- High fasting plasma glucose (12k DALYs, moderate evidence)
- Low physical activity and diets low in fruits/vegetables (together 6k DALYs, moderate evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High LDL cholesterol | Ischaemic stroke | 0.2 | 3 | 21000 (7410 to 34700) | Metabolic |
| Low physical activity | Ischaemic stroke | 0.15 | 3 | 3360 (907 to 6300) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in vegetables | Ischaemic stroke | 0.15 | 3 | 1190 (636 to 1830) | Behavioural |
| High fasting plasma glucose | Ischaemic stroke | 0.15 | 3 | 12400 (9590 to 15400) | Metabolic |
| Diet low in fruits | Ischaemic stroke | 0.15 | 3 | 2060 (1090 to 3270) | Behavioural |
Attribution: The GBD model estimates that over three-quarters (78%) of ischemic stroke burden can be explained by these preventable risks.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Ischemic stroke | 215.56 (184.19-231.31) | 231.19 (199.80-248.27) | 1082047.9 (914693.8-1167597.3) | 1466656.5 (1250827.2-1582356.5) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths 2021 | DALYs 2021 | YLDs 2021 | YLLs 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke | USA | 77·5 | 76·8 | 79·1 | 76·2 |
| (69·0 – 84·8) | (68·3 – 83·8) | (70·9 – 85·6) | (67·2 – 83·4) |
Hypertensive heart disease
View Medical Definition
[5] Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) refers to a constellation of structural and functional changes in the left ventricle, left atrium, and coronary arteries resulting from chronic blood pressure elevation. Hypertension increases myocardial workload, leading to compensatory remodeling, most notably left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which may progress to heart failure.
Signal: ❌ Worsening
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs increased from 208 -> 245 per 100k (+18%).
Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) develops as a long-term complication of chronic high blood pressure. Unlike ischemic heart disease, which results from blocked coronary arteries, HHD stems from the heart’s constant struggle against elevated pressure, leading to structural remodeling, thickened walls, and eventual heart failure.
Key risk contributors
The GBD framework does not currently attribute HHD to specific risk factors beyond elevated blood pressure itself. One modeled factor, non-optimal temperature, shows only weak evidence.
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-optimal temperature | Hypertensive heart disease | 0.05 | 2 | 1700 (1250 to 2200) | Environmental/ Occupational |
Attribution: The absence of many listed “risks” here doesn’t mean the disease is mysterious. GBD models treat high blood pressure as a cause for HHD rather than a risk input; that’s why few risk factors appear in the HHD table.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Hypertensive heart disease | 208.01 (196.37-214.21) | 244.89 (220.05-269.74) | 906563.8 (845942.4-937504.3) | 1292198.1 (1150279.1-1430773.9) |
Intracerebral hemorrhage
View Medical Definition
[6] Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a subtype of stroke, is a devastating condition whereby a hematoma is formed within the brain parenchyma with or without blood extension into the ventricles.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs declined from 235 -> 210 per 100k (−11%).
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), bleeding directly into the brain tissue, is one of the most lethal forms of stroke, often leaving little time for effective intervention. Outcomes for ICH are generally poorer, making prevention the critical line of defense.
Key risk contributors
- High alcohol use (4.6k DALYs, weak evidence)
- High fasting plasma glucose (4.1k DALYs, weak evidence)
- Diets low in fruits/vegetables/fiber (collectively weak evidence)
- High body-mass index (weak evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High alcohol use | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0.05 | 2 | 4570 (136 to 9390) | Behavioural |
| High fasting plasma glucose | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0.05 | 2 | 4100 (2160 to 6090) | Metabolic |
| Diet low in fruits | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0.03 | 2 | 6590 (-493 to 12300) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in vegetables | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0.02 | 2 | 1190 (-129 to 2250) | Behavioural |
| High body-mass index | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0.02 | 2 | 2720 (6.44 to 6340) | Metabolic |
| Diet low in fibre | Intracerebral haemorrhage | 0 | 1 | 2700 (-776 to 5610) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in red meat | Intracerebral haemorrhage | -0.13 | 1 | -4520 (-18800 to 6290) | Behavioural |
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Intracerebral hemorrhage | 234.99 (221.28-243.57) | 210.09 (196.19-220.27) | 1028031.1 (959408.6-1068850.1) | 1145736.6 (1058507.9-1203160.4) |
Infectious diseases
COVID-19
Signal: ✅ Improving
[7] Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | COVID-19 | 0.00 (0.00-0.00) | 2254.69 (2209.34-2301.50) | 0.0 (0.0-0.0) | 10728179.2 (10514594.1-10947546.0) |
Neurodegenerative diseases
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
View Medical Definition
[8] Dementia is a general term used to describe a significant decline in cognitive ability that interferes with a person’s activities of daily living. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia, accounting for at least two-thirds of cases in individuals aged 65 and older. AD is a neurodegenerative condition with insidious onset and progressive impairment of behavioral and cognitive functions. These functions include memory, comprehension, language, attention, reasoning, and judgment. While AD does not directly cause death, it substantially raises vulnerability to other complications, which can eventually lead to a person’s death.
Signal: 🟧 Unchanged
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are not sudden killers like stroke or heart attack, they are slow, progressive conditions that erode memory, judgment, and independence over years. While dementia itself rarely appears as the “immediate cause” of death, it greatly increases vulnerability to infections, falls, and other complications that ultimately shorten life.
In 2021, dementia accounted for an age-standardized YLLs of 356 per 100k, unchanged since 2010 (−1%). Absolute years of life lost increased by 27%, from 1.85M -> 2.34M. This rise is driven almost entirely by population aging, as more Americans live longer, more enter the age brackets where dementia is common. For women, who generally outlive men, dementia ranks even higher among causes of death.
Key risk contributors
- Smoking (1.5k DALYs, weak evidence)
- High fasting plasma glucose (5.3k DALYs, weak evidence)
- High BMI (no effect)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 0.09 | 2 | 1530 (663 to 3500) | Behavioural |
| High fasting plasma glucose | Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 0.04 | 2 | 5350 (308 to 14400) | Metabolic |
| High body-mass index | Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | -0.07 | 1 | 2670 (-494 to 9330) | Metabolic |
Attribution: Unlike heart disease or stroke, alzheimer’s/dementia doesn’t yet have clear risk factors. Instead, what we see is a complex interplay of age, genetics, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 359.81 (90.90-928.73) | 356.17 (90.09-912.58) | 1847416.5 (466450.5-4736423.8) | 2344030.4 (594648.7-5992541.2) |
Chronic respiratory diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
View Medical Definition
[9] Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and treatable disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue destruction. It is associated with structural lung changes due to chronic inflammation from prolonged exposure to noxious particles or gases most commonly cigarette smoke. Chronic inflammation causes airway narrowing and decreased lung recoil. The disease often presents with symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and sputum production. Symptoms can range from being asymptomatic to respiratory failure.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs fell from 584 → 551 per 100k (−6%).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often called a “smoker’s disease,” but it’s more accurately the long-term scarring of the lungs from years of exposure to cigarettes, polluted air, and other noxious particles. Once damage accumulates, it limits airflow permanently, leaving many patients struggling with breathlessness, recurrent infections, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.
Key risk contributors
- Smoking (27.8k DALYs, strong evidence)
- Particulate matter pollution (33.2k DALYs, strong evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 0.54 | 4 | 27800 (22200 to 32900) | Behavioural |
| Particulate matter pollution | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 0.44 | 4 | 33200 (26700 to 41300) | Environmental/ Occupational |
Attribution:: Together, these exposures explain more than half of COPD deaths in the US.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 583.79 (535.32-606.72) | 551.42 (503.63-575.88) | 2690832.1 (2451891.5-2807272.5) | 3342893.7 (3032731.2-3500188.2) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths 2021 | DALYs 2021 | YLDs 2021 | YLLs 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | USA | 55·4 | 55·8 | 49·1 | 58·4 |
| (47·1 – 63·0) | (47·4 – 63·6) | (39·7 – 57·9) | (50·3 – 66·1) |
Cancers
Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer
View Medical Definition
[10] Initially described in 1785 by Sandifort, the tracheal bronchus is a rare congenital anomaly in which an accessory bronchus originates directly from the trachea, usually directed toward the upper lobe of the lung. This condition is more common on the right side and is typically discovered incidentally during imaging or bronchoscopy for other reasons.
[11] Lung cancer or bronchogenic carcinoma refers to tumors originating in the lung parenchyma or within the bronchi. It is interesting to note that lung cancer was a relatively rare disease at the beginning of the 20th century. Its dramatic rise in later decades is mostly attributable to the increase in smoking among both males and females.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs dropped from 865 → 620 per 100k (−28%).
Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer remains one of the most lethal cancer groups in the United States, historically driven by widespread tobacco use in the 20th century. Today, it continues to be a leading cause of cancer death, though recent decades have seen encouraging declines. Advances in tobacco control, cleaner air standards, and early detection have shifted trends, reducing both risk and mortality. Despite this progress, the disease still imposes a heavy burden, largely tied to modifiable risk factors like smoking and air pollution.
Key risk contributors
- Smoking (27.7k DALYs, very strong evidence)
- Particulate matter pollution (8.9k DALYs, moderate evidence)
- Diets low in fruits (1.6k DALYs, moderate evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 0.73 | 5 | 27700 (24400 to 31600) | Behavioural |
| Particulate matter pollution | Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 0.34 | 3 | 8930 (5680 to 12400) | Environmental/ Occupational |
| Diet low in fruits | Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 0.19 | 3 | 1610 (828 to 2350) | Behavioural |
Attribution: Altogether, GBD estimates that 72.5% of Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer can be explained by risk factors. This signals that we must continue efforts to decrease risk factors such as smoking, which, remains as the dominant single contributor.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | 864.86 (819.87-891.74) | 620.33 (583.81-646.11) | 3823614.3 (3610197.4-3948014.5) | 3590279.0 (3358656.2-3744333.9) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths 2021 | DALYs 2021 | YLDs 2021 | YLLs 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer | USA | 72·5 | 73·8 | 73·1 | 73·8 |
| (67·3 – 77·1) | (68·5 – 78·0) | (67·8 – 77·6) | (68·5 – 78·0) |
Colon and rectum cancer
View Medical Definition
[12] Most colon cancer is sporadic, and approximately 5 percent are due to an inherited genetic mutation, mostly due to Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer or HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The transition from normal colon epithelium to invasive cancer takes several years and most commonly follows a sequence characterized by the accumulation of genetic mutations, adenoma formation, and subsequent carcinogenesis (adenoma-carcinoma sequence). (NLM (12)). Colon and rectal cancers (CRC) combined are the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second deadliest. Rectal cancer has distinct environmental associations and genetic risk factors different from colon cancer.The transformation of the normal rectal epithelium to a dysplastic lesion and eventually an invasive carcinoma requires a combination of genetic mutations, either somatic (acquired) or germline (inherited), over an approximately 10 to 15 year period. Response to pre-operative therapy and pathological staging are the most important prognostic indicators of rectal cancer.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs fell from 327 → 295 per 100k (−10%).
Colon and rectum cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. Most cases develop sporadically over a decade or more, through the gradual progression from benign polyps to invasive cancer, though a small fraction arise from inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis. Because the disease develops slowly, timely screening and early removal of precancerous lesions are key to reducing mortality.
Key risk contributors
- Diet low in calcium (2.1k DALYs, moderate evidence)
- Low physical activity (1.3k DALYs, moderate evidence)
- Diets low in fiber, whole grains, and milk (weak evidence)
- High BMI and fasting glucose (weak evidence)
- Diets high in red and processed meat (weak evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diet low in calcium | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.35 | 3 | 2130 (1570 to 2670) | Behavioural |
| Low physical activity | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.19 | 3 | 1330 (831 to 1830) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in fibre | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.12 | 2 | 306 (135 to 470) | Behavioural |
| High body-mass index | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.09 | 2 | 2360 (1020 to 3750) | Metabolic |
| Diet low in whole grains | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.07 | 2 | 4330 (1750 to 6580) | Behavioural |
| High fasting plasma glucose | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.07 | 2 | 1750 (901 to 2660) | Metabolic |
| Diet low in milk | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.06 | 2 | 3710 (1010 to 6140) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in red meat | Colon and rectum cancer | 0.06 | 2 | 3550 (-1.3 to 7210) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in processed meat | Colon and rectum cancer | 0 | 2 | 1300 (-310 to 2660) | Behavioural |
Attribution: Altogether, these exposures explain about 62% of the US CRC burden.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Colon and rectum cancer | 327.08 (308.40-339.01) | 294.72 (277.84-306.77) | 1436571.3 (1346741.0-1492807.5) | 1577371.3 (1476145.3-1647316.5) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths 2021 | DALYs 2021 | YLDs 2021 | YLLs 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colon and rectum cancer | USA | 62·4 | 62·6 | 62·6 | 62·6 |
| (40·9 – 77·7) | (40·9 – 78·0) | (41·0 – 78·5) | (40·9 – 78·0) |
Prostate cancer
View Medical Definition
[13] Prostate cancer is an adenocarcinoma as it develops primarily from the glandular part of the organ and shows typical glandular patterns on microscopic examination. The cancer cells grow and multiply, initially spreading to the surrounding prostate tissue, forming a tumor nodule. Such a tumor may grow outside the prostate (extracapsular extension) or may remain localized within the prostate for decades. Prostate cancer commonly metastasizes to the bones and lymph nodes. Metastases to the bone are believed to be partially due to the prostatic venous plexus draining into the vertebral veins.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs fell from 123 → 114 per 100k (−7%).
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. While it often remains localized and slow-growing for many years, advanced cases can metastasize, particularly to the bones and lymph nodes, leading to significant health burden. Despite its prevalence, the precise risk factors behind prostate cancer are not fully understood, which complicates prevention strategies.
Key risk contributors
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diet low in calcium | Prostate cancer | 0 | 2 | -97.5 (-211 to 18.4) | Behavioural |
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Prostate cancer | 123.15 (114.66-127.72) | 114.10 (105.39-119.80) | 577888.8 (534445.9-600848.8) | 705513.7 (647686.6-741476.0) |
Breast cancer
View Medical Definition
[14] Most breast cancer is sporadic (90%-95%), with only 5% to 10% of patients having an identifiable genetic mutation. BRCA 1 and 2 are the most common associated genetic conditions. Invasive ductal and invasive lobular carcinoma are the most common pathologic forms of invasive breast cancer. Carcinogenesis occurs due to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors, hormonal influences, and patient-related factors.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs declined from 276 → 239 per 100k (−13%).
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the US and remains a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. While 5–10% of cases can be traced to inherited mutations, the vast majority (90–95%) are sporadic, shaped by a complex interplay of hormones, environment, and lifestyle.
Key risk contributors
- Smoking (310 DALYs, weak evidence)
- Diet high in red meat (2.5k DALYs, weak evidence)
- Low physical activity (415 DALYs, weak evidence)
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | Breast cancer | 0.04 | 2 | 310 (237 to 389) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in red meat | Breast cancer | 0.03 | 2 | 2450 (-0.791 to 5230) | Behavioural |
| Low physical activity | Breast cancer | 0.01 | 2 | 415 (83.3 to 729) | Behavioural |
Attribution: Overall, the GBD model suggests that only about one-third (35%) of the US breast cancer burden can currently be attributed to known risk factors. The rest reflects unmeasured influences, from reproductive history and hormonal exposures to environment interactions that are still poorly understood.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Breast cancer | 275.71 (260.97-284.50) | 238.59 (225.02-248.84) | 1178488.2 (1107445.5-1219563.6) | 1218273.0 (1136493.4-1273985.1) |
View PAF Table
| Cause | Location | Deaths 2021 | DALYs 2021 | YLDs 2021 | YLLs 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast cancer | USA | 35·8 | 35·1 | 35·5 | 35·0 |
| (13·2 – 52·9) | (14·0 – 51·4) | (13·9 – 51·8) | (14·0 – 51·3) |
Metabolic diseases
Diabetes mellitus type 2
View Medical Definition
[15] Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. It may be due to impaired insulin secretion, resistance to peripheral actions of insulin, or both. Chronic hyperglycemia in synergy with the other metabolic aberrations in patients with diabetes mellitus can cause damage to various organ systems, leading to the development of disabling and life-threatening health complications, most prominent of which are microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications leading to a 2-fold to 4-fold increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Signal: ✅ Improving
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs fell from 298 → 259 per 100k (−13%).
Type 2 diabetes is the quintessential lifestyle-driven chronic disease. It develops when the body can no longer use insulin effectively, leading to persistent high blood sugar that silently damages blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Beyond its direct complications, diabetes multiplies the risk of cardiovascular disease, making it one of the largest drivers of premature mortality in the US.
Key risk contributors
- High body-mass index (39k DALYS, strong evidence).
- Particulate matter pollution and smoking (moderate evidence)
Behavioral risks; smoking, low physical activity, diets low in fiber/whole grains, and consumption of processed meats and sugary drinks collectively account for tens of thousands of DALYs.
Risk Factor Table
| Risk Name | Outcome Name | Risk-Outcome Score | Star Rating | 2021 DALYS (in thousands) | Risk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High body-mass index | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.49 | 4 | 39300 (19100 to 56400) | Metabolic |
| Particulate matter pollution | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.19 | 3 | 12900 (7500 to 19500) | Environmental/ Occupational |
| Smoking | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.15 | 3 | 5470 (4280 to 7060) | Behavioural |
| Low physical activity | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.14 | 2 | 5520 (2410 to 8640) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in fibre | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.12 | 2 | 775 (427 to 1160) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in whole grains | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.09 | 2 | 5080 (1500 to 8540) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.08 | 2 | 3030 (1520 to 4590) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in processed meat | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.08 | 2 | 6100 (1480 to 10400) | Behavioural |
| High alcohol use | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.04 | 2 | 1360 (338 to 2840) | Behavioural |
| Diet low in fruits | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.03 | 2 | 3380 (532 to 6080) | Behavioural |
| Diet high in red meat | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0.01 | 2 | 3820 (-585 to 8710) | Behavioural |
Attribution: Unlike cancers or dementia, where risk attribution is partial or uncertain, diabetes is overwhelmingly preventable through weight management, diet, and physical activity.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 297.85 (280.11-308.92) | 258.89 (243.65-270.20) | 1332339.5 (1242931.4-1386105.3) | 1432014.9 (1338349.5-1499140.6) |
Substance use disorders
Opioid Use Disorders
View Medical Definition
[16] Opioid use disorder (OUD) is defined as the chronic use of opioids that causes clinically significant distress or impairment. Symptoms of this disease include an overpowering desire to use opioids, increased opioid tolerance, and withdrawal syndrome when opioids are discontinued. Thus, OUD can range from dependence on opioids to addiction.
Signal: ❌ Worsening
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-standardized YLLs more than doubled, from 363 → 772 per 100k (+112%).
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is not driven by diet, blood pressure, or cholesterol, it is a disease of dependency, born from pain management, social vulnerability, and the biology of addiction. OUD blurs the line between medical treatment and illicit use, as patients prescribed opioids for pain can find themselves trapped in cycles of tolerance, craving, and withdrawal.
For Opioid Use Disorder, one could attribute lead risk factors as social and environmental as addiction feeds addiction and drugs had to be started to develop addiction. Further roads to addiction are medication (pain killers) and overall mental health scape routes for people.
Because these drivers are diffuse and socially embedded, the Global Burden of Disease framework does not assign a clean population attributable fraction (PAF) as it does for smoking or obesity. The crisis is less about biology and more about policy, prescribing practices, and social safety nets.
View YLL Table
| location_name | cause_name | 2010 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2021 (Age-Standardised Rate - YLLs) | 2010 (All-Age YLLs) | 2021 (All-Age YLLs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Opioid use disorders | 363.48 (347.24-381.49) | 771.51 (687.87-862.41) | 1181289.0 (1128237.8-1239064.1) | 2629560.8 (2334086.1-2953650.9) |
Risk Exposure Trends 2010-2021
Below is an excerpt outlining the percent change of each risk exposure mentioned as a factor of the diseases studied above and key highlights.
- Exposure to particulate matter pollution fell by (-39%) for both men and women, showing major progress in air pollution control.
- Smoking dropped by (-15%), continuing a decades-long downward trend.
- Alcohol use stayed roughly the same (slight increase for women, stable for men).
- Fruit and vegetable intake showed little change, with slight improvement in fruit intake but stagnation in vegetables.
- Whole grains and dairy (milk) remain low with minimal change.
- Processed meat consumption decreased modestly (esp. among women), while red meat intake stayed about the same.
- Sugar-sweetened beverages showed no meaningful decline, remaining a persistent issue.
- Low physical activity increased (esp. in men, +20%), suggesting sedentary lifestyles remain a growing concern.
- High body-mass index (BMI) rose by (+8%) overall, reinforcing obesity as a worsening driver of chronic disease.
- High fasting plasma glucose (+16%) and high systolic blood pressure (+39%) saw the sharpest increases, especially among women.
- High LDL cholesterol improved slightly (–3%), likely reflecting widespread statin use and improved treatment.
- Kidney dysfunction showed small increases (+4%).
View Risk Factors Table
| Risk Name | Percentage change 2010-2021 Male | Percentage change 2010-2021 Female | Percentage change 2010-2021 Both | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particulate matter pollution | -38·9 (-55·0 – -29·4) | -39·0 (-55·0 – -29·5) | -38·9 (-55·0 – -29·5) | USA |
| Ambient particulate matter pollution | -39·2 (-55·2 – -29·6) | -39·2 (-55·2 – -29·7) | -39·2 (-55·2 – -29·6) | USA |
| Non-optimal temperature | -11·1 (-13·0 – -8·8) | -11·2 (-13·1 – -8·9) | -11·1 (-13·1 – -8·8) | USA |
| Smoking | -14·9 (-19·8 – -9·5) | -15·6 (-23·4 – -6·3) | -15·2 (-19·6 – -10·2) | USA |
| High alcohol use | -1·4 (-5·4 – 2·7) | 3·1 (-2·2 – 8·7) | 1·4 (-3·0 – 5·7) | USA |
| Diet low in fruits | 3·2 (-5·3 – 11·1) | 4·0 (-5·0 – 13·2) | 3·4 (-2·8 – 9·4) | USA |
| Diet low in vegetables | -2·1 (-9·0 – 5·5) | -0·8 (-9·3 – 8·9) | -1·7 (-6·9 – 5·0) | USA |
| Diet low in whole grains | 1·7 (-2·2 – 6·2) | -0·3 (-4·6 – 4·1) | 0·6 (-2·5 – 3·9) | USA |
| Diet low in milk | -2·4 (-18·8 – 14·9) | -0·8 (-7·3 – 6·1) | -1·3 (-7·1 – 5·0) | USA |
| Diet high in red meat | 0·4 (-7·7 – 160·9) | -0·1 (-9·1 – 60·9) | 0·1 (-5·4 – 28·6) | USA |
| Diet high in processed meat | -0·1 (-7·5 – 7·1) | -5·5 (-13·1 – 1·4) | -3·0 (-7·9 – 2·1) | USA |
| Diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages | 0·9 (-11·0 – 13·8) | -2·1 (-13·3 – 8·9) | -0·8 (-9·0 – 8·0) | USA |
| Diet low in calcium | -2·5 (-5·7 – 1·1) | -1·3 (-4·3 – 1·8) | -1·7 (-4·3 – 1·0) | USA |
| Low physical activity | 20·4 (-2·4 – 51·2) | 9·4 (-6·9 – 28·1) | 12·8 (-0·8 – 28·4) | USA |
| High fasting plasma glucose | 14·1 (2·4 – 27·6) | 18·5 (7·5 – 31·1) | 16·0 (8·0 – 25·9) | USA |
| High LDL cholesterol | -4·0 (-7·1 – -1·2) | -2·5 (-5·1 – 0·0) | -3·3 (-5·1 – -1·5) | USA |
| High systolic blood pressure | 32·0 (5·6 – 69·8) | 49·8 (15·1 – 96·4) | 38·9 (17·0 – 70·6) | USA |
| High body-mass index | 6·4 (2·4 – 11·0) | 9·2 (4·8 – 13·4) | 7·8 (4·4 – 11·1) | USA |
| Kidney dysfunction | 3·6 (2·0 – 5·6) | 4·2 (2·5 – 6·2) | 3·9 (2·4 – 5·5) | USA |
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