COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020, according to provisional death data

released by the CDC. Age-adjusted death rates varied by race and ethnicity. COVID- 19-associated death rates were highest among American Indian/ Alaska Native, Hispanic and Black persons and lowest among multiracial, Asian and white persons. COVID-19-associateddeath rates were 2.6 times higher among American Indian/Alaska Native than white persons. The April 2021 release of the initial review of 2020 death data by CDC are considered provisional because of the time needed to investigate certain causes of death. Final deaths reports are generally released in November of the following calendar year.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the leading causes of death among older adults

in the U.S. were heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the CDC. However, COVID-19 was identified as the third leading cause of death

in 2020, according to an analysis of provisional death data. COVID-19 deaths rates were highest among older adults, males and American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic persons.

• Minnesota had a high early death racial disparity ratio and a low early death rate (1,496 deaths per 100,000 adults ages 65-74). In Minnesota, the early death rate was 2.2 times higher among American Indian/Alaska Native (3,267 deaths per 100,000) than white (1,471) older adults.
• Kentucky, on the other hand, had a low early death racial disparity ratio and a high early death rate (2,344 deaths per 100,000 adults ages 65-74). In Kentucky, the early death rate was 1.1 times higher among Black (2,719 deaths per 100,000) than white (2,365) older adults.

Examining early death levels by race provides more depth and understanding of the challenges facing a state, challenges that overall early death rates can mask. Go to Early Death Racial Disparity

for a breakdown of all available racial and ethnic groups. For additional details on the method and rationale behind the disparity calculations see Methodology.

States with higher early death racial disparity ratios tended to have lower early death rates.

Drug overdoses are the leading cause

of injury death in the U.S., according to the CDC. Drug abuse is particularly dangerous among older adults because of their reduced ability to metabolize

medications due to age-related changes in the liver. Older adults are more likely to be taking multiple prescription

medications. They may also be taking non-prescription

medications and dietary-supplements

, which can further complicate drug interactions that can lead to drug-induced death.

• 3.4 times higher in Nevada (31.1 deaths per 100,000) than in New York (9.2).
• 6.1 times higher among males (31.9 deaths per 100,000) than females (5.2).
• 1.3 times higher among those ages 85 and older (19.8 deaths per 100,000) than those ages 65-74 (15.8); the rate significantly increased with each increase in age group.

Suicide affects people of all ages, races and ethnicities. According to an Administration on Aging and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, recorded suicide attempts

among older adults are usually more lethal than those among younger age groups. Older adults are nearly twice as likely

to use firearms as a means of suicide compared with younger adults.

• 2.4 times higher in West Virginia (10.9%) than in South Dakota (4.5%).
• 1.3 times higher among females
  
  (9.0%) than males
  
  (7.0%).
• 2.2 times higher among those with less than a high school education
  
  (11.5%) than college graduates
  
  (5.3%).
• 2.8 times higher among those with an annual household income less than $25,000
  
  (12.7%) than those with an income of $75,000 or more (4.5%).