Two reports released in the April 22, 2022 edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Vital Statistics System to look at death rates in the United States. Specifically, it confirmed that differences in death rates still remain between certain racial and ethnic minority groups.

The first report provides an overview of provisional U.S. mortality data for 2021, including a comparison of death rates for all causes of death and for deaths involving COVID-19. The study found that the overall age-adjusted death rate increased by almost 1 percent in 2021 from 2020.

Overall death rates were highest among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native and non-Hispanic Black or African American people. For the second year, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer.

The second report shows that from 2020 to 2021, differences in COVID-19 death rates decreased among most racial and ethnic groups. This report found disparities in the age-adjusted COVID-19 death rates decreased by 14–40 percent for most racial and ethnic groups, including non-Hispanic White people, who accounted for 60–65 percent of all people who died compared with non-Hispanic multiracial people.

The results of both studies highlight the need for greater effort to implement effective interventions. We must work to ensure equal treatment in all communities in proportion to their need for effective interventions that can prevent excess COVID-19 deaths.

How You Can Get Involved

  1. Take our survey and let us know your thoughts about COVID-19 and the available vaccines at bit.ly/TWCVaccineSurvey.
  2. Attend the Mental Health & COVID-19 Awareness Seminar. Learn more at bit.ly/LTBF22.
  3. Join our Health Equity Alliance and help us engage the community, fight false information, and make a difference in the lives of your neighbors. Complete the interest form at bit.ly/HEAMEMBER.