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Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
United States Value:
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native population (3-year estimate)
4,270 - 10,040
10,041 - 16,210
16,211 - 21,190
21,191 - 24,669
24,670 - 36,532
No Data
US Value: 7,862
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 5,760
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 12,071
Definition: Years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population (1-year estimate)
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Premature death is a measure of years of potential life lost due to death occurring before the age of 75. Deaths at younger ages contribute more to the premature death rate than deaths occurring closer to age 75. For example, a person dying at age 70 would lose five years of potential life, whereas a child dying at age five would lose 70 years of potential life.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Visualization Tool, unintentional injury (including drug overdose deaths), cancer, heart disease, suicide, homicide, liver disease, perinatal deaths, diabetes, cerebrovascular and chronic lower respiratory disease deaths were, in order, the 10 leading causes of years of potential life lost before age 75 in 2023. COVID-19 dropped out of the top 10 in 2023 after ranking as the fifth-leading cause of premature death in 2022, and chronic lower respiratory disease entered the top 10.
Risky behaviors like not wearing seatbelts or motorcycle helmets, misusing drugs and occupational hazards can increase the risk of unintentional injuries and premature death. Additional risk factors for premature death include obesity, smoking, and exposure to environmental hazards such as poor air quality. Risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and physical inactivity, are also risk factors for premature death. Social factors such as low education, poverty, racial segregation and inadequate social support also contribute to premature death.
Populations at higher risk for premature death include:
Health officials can encourage lifestyle changes to help prevent premature deaths by reducing risk factors, such as changes in diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and tobacco use, as well as medical treatment for chronic conditions such as depression, diabetes or hypertension.
Intervention strategies that encourage individuals to seek preventive medical care and achieve healthy lifestyles can be effective in reducing premature death by:
The CDC has sponsored many health equity interventions, including:
One of the overarching goals of Healthy People 2030 is to “attain healthy, thriving lives and well-being free of preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death.” While Healthy People 2030 does not have a specific goal for reducing premature death, it does set goals for many contributors to premature death, including:
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America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
