Covid Death Rates Drop Significantly in Second Year of Pandemic Despite Some Increases in Heart Disease and Cancer

Covid fell to the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2022.
Covid deaths decreased by about 47% from 2021 to 2022 but still totaled nearly 250,000.
The number of total deaths in the U.S. declined for the first time since 2009.
Rates of death from heart disease and cancer rose slightly during the pandemic.
Covid death rates are projected to continue declining in 2023 but may still exceed 100,000 deaths.