Trends in Death Rates for Leading Methods of Injury: United States, 2003-2023

Abstract

Introduction: This data brief presents trends in injury death rates, in total and by the three leading intents (unintentional, suicide, homicide) for 2003 to 2023. Trends in unintentional injury, suicide, and homicide death rates are then presented by the three leading methods for each intent.

Methods: Mortality data for 2003-2020 are from the National Center for Health Statistics' 1999-2020 Underlying Cause of Death by Bridged-Race Categories and data for 2021-2023 are from the 2018-2023 Underlying Cause of Death by Single-Race Categories. Age-adjusted death rates are based on the 2000 standard U.S. population and are per 100,000 population. Injury deaths are identified using International Classification of Diseases,10th Revision codes. Rates are presented for the three leading injury intents (unintentional, suicide, homicide), which are based on the number of deaths. Rates for the three leading methods within each intent are then presented.

Key findings: After a period of stability from 2003 to 2013, the total injury death rate increased 21% from 2013 to 2019 and an additional 25% through 2021 before declining 4% through 2023. This pattern of an increase before 2019 and an even greater increase from 2019 to 2021 was seen for both unintentional injury and homicide deaths. Suicide, however, exhibited a different pattern, with increases from 2003 to 2018 and then a decline from 2018 to 2020 before resuming its increase. Drug overdose was the leading method of unintentional injury deaths during the period. Death rates increased from 2003 to 2022, with the largest increase from 2019 to 2022. The rate declined from 2022 to 2023. Firearms were the leading method for both suicide and homicide, with rates generally increasing over the period. Since 2021, firearm-involved homicide rates declined, while firearm-involved suicide rates were stable.