Poisoning (including drug overdoses) is the leading cause of preventable injury-related death in the United States, according to the latest 2024 data from the National Center for Health Statistics. A total of 75,761 poisoning deaths occurred in 2024, accounting for about 38% of all preventable injury-related deaths. Poisoning fatalities were the leading cause of preventable injury-related deaths in all age groups from 25 to 34 through 55 to 64. Fortunately, poisoning deaths decreased 24% from 2023.
Falls are the second leading cause of death overall and the leading cause of preventable death starting with the 65 to 74 year age group. Motor-vehicle crashes are the third leading cause of preventable death overall and the leading cause of preventable death from the 5 to 9 to the 15 to 24 year age groups. Exploring the historic trends using the interactive chart, motor-vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death among all ages prior to 2011. Prior to 2022, motor vehicle had been the second leading cause of death for most years since 2013. Also noteworthy: falls were the second leading cause of death, outnumbering poisoning deaths, prior to 2002. Prior to 2022, falls were the third leading cause of preventable injury-related death for most years since 2002, behind poisoning and motor vehicle.
Tracking preventable injury-related deaths starting at birth, suffocation emerges as the leading cause for people younger than 1, overtaken by drowning among the 1 to 4 year age group.
According to data from the All-Injury Program, a cooperative program involving the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, falls were the leading cause of nonfatal preventable injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in 2023 (most recent data available). More than 8.8 million people were treated in an emergency department for fall-related injuries in 2023.
Falls were the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for nearly all age groups. Struck by or against was the leading cause among 15 to 24-year-olds. Overexertion and motor-vehicle crashes involving occupants were also leading causes for most age groups.
Use the interactive chart to explore how leading causes of nonfatal injuries have changed over time.
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- Data Table
