Race and Ethnicity

The U.S. government treats race and ethnicity as two separate and distinct concepts, therefore mortality data are categorized by separate race and ethnicity variables. Starting with the 2018 data year the race identifiers have been updated to include the following groups:

  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Asian
  • Black or African American
  • More than one race
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

The ethnicity categories include:

  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Not Hispanic or Latino

Because white non-Hispanics experience 67% of all preventable injury-related deaths, sub-trends occurring among other race and ethnic groups can be overlooked. The interactive chart allows you to explore preventable injury-related death trends by race, ethnicity, cause of death, age group, and year of death.

Highlights of preliminary* 2022 fatality trends are provided below.

In 2022, the overall preventable death rate per 100,000 population remained nearly steady (-0.2%) among white non-Hispanics and decreased -4.3% among Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – non-Hispanic but increased for all other groups:

  • +7.7% – More than one race not-Hispanic
  • +7.6% – American Indian or Alaska Native not-Hispanic
  • +4.7% – Hispanic or Latino
  • +4.6% – Asian
  • +2.1% – Black or African American not-Hispanic

In 2022, the preventable poisoning (including drug overdoses) death rate per 100,000 population increased for most groups:

  • +15.6% – American Indian or Alaska Native not-Hispanic
  • +8.6% – Black or African American not-Hispanic
  • +7.3% – Hispanic or Latino
  • +10.8% – More than one race not-Hispanic
  • +14.3% – Asian not-Hispanic

Two groups experienced decreases in 2022:

  • -8.6% – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – not-Hispanic
  • -2.7% – White not-Hispanic

In 2022, the motor-vehicle death rate per 100,000 population increased among three groups:

  • +2.5% – American Indian or Alaska Native not-Hispanic
  • +1.9% – Asian not-Hispanic
  • +1.9% – Hispanic or Latino

Four groups experienced decreases in rates:

  • -6.8% – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – not-Hispanic
  • -1.4% – More than one race not-Hispanic
  • -1.5% – White not-Hispanic
  • -9.3% – Black or African American not-Hispanic

Use the interactive chart to explore other trends.

  • Chart
  • Data Table
How to Use Injury Facts® Charts and Tables

*Preliminary 2022 data (downloaded on 3-14-2024)