What are people in the United States most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in the United States is about 76 years for men and 81 for women. But what threatens people most changes with age — and until late middle age it is rarely what people expect. Pick an age group for the full picture.
Top cause = the most likely cause of death over the next 10 years (on wider screens, with its share of all risk) · 10-year risk = chance of dying from any cause within 10 years, for someone in the middle of the age group.
Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
Cancer screening in the United States
- Breast cancerevery 2 years, ages 40–74
- Colorectal cancerages 45–75 — a stool test (FIT) every year, or a colonoscopy every 10 years
- Cervical cancerevery 3 years, ages 21–29every 5 years, ages 30–65 (HPV test)
- Lung cancerevery year, ages 50–80, if you have smoked 20 pack-years and still smoke or quit within 15 years
- Prostate cancerages 55–69, if you choose to be tested
Based on USPSTF recommendations and the CDC adult immunization schedule. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official CDC mortality statistics for the United States (2023–2024) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.