Deaths by Month

Use the interactive chart to explore the seasonal variations in the leading causes of preventable deaths across multiple years of data:

Some of the leading causes of death – like drowning, natural heat or cold, or fire, flames, and smoke – have pronounced fluctuations with the seasons. Other causes, like falls and choking, do not have noticeable seasonal trends.

Motor-vehicle deaths, prevalent throughout the year, are lowest in the beginning of the year, with peaks often in the summer and fall months. Summertime peaks generally coincide with increases in miles driven. Fall and winter peaks coincide with shorter daylight hours and difficult driving conditions. Unique to 2020, poisoning deaths, driven by drug overdoses, peaked in May. This peak was likely associated with the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown that resulted in increased social isolation and decreased access to substance use treatment. No clear seasonal poisoning trend is apparent in 2021.

  • Chart
  • Data Table
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