Leading Causes of Death for 52-Year-Olds

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Reaching the age of 52 means that you have likely experienced a number of life's challenges and successes thus far. However, it also means that you are at an age where your risk of developing certain health conditions and diseases becomes increasingly higher. It's important to stay informed on the leading causes of death for 52-year-olds in order to take proactive steps towards preventative care. In this article, we'll explore the top causes of death for this age group and discuss ways to help reduce your risk and improve your overall longevity. (Note: See here for 51-year-old causes of death or here for the most common causes of death for 53-year-olds.)

Leading Causes of Death for 52-Year-Olds (2021 CDC Data)

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease5,389
COVID-194,492
Cancer4,353
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)3,207
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)1,251
Diabetes965
Suicide767
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease419
Septicemia316
Kidney Disease295
Homicide248
Flu (Non-COVID)209
HIV104
Congenital Malformations99
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids84
Viral Hepatitis36

According to the CDC’s 2021 data, heart disease is the root cause of death in the US for 52-year-olds, with 5,389 deaths. COVID-19, which was not even on the list of leading causes of death for this age group in 2019, now ranks as the second leading cause of death with 4,492 fatalities. Cancer follows closely behind with 4,353 deaths. Accidents, including overdoses, rank fourth with 3,207 fatalities.

Liver disease, including cirrhosis, is the fifth leading cause of death for 52-year-olds with 1,251 deaths, while diabetes ranks sixth with 965 fatalities. Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death with 767 fatalities, followed by Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease with 419 fatalities. Septicemia, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, ranks ninth with 316 fatalities, while Kidney Disease rounds out the top ten causes of death with 295 fatalities.

Homicide (248 deaths), flu (non-COVID) (209 deaths), HIV (104 deaths), congenital malformations (99 deaths), pneumonitis due to solids and liquids (84 deaths), and viral hepatitis (36 deaths) were also listed as causes of death.

The data shows that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the mortality rate for 52-year-olds. While heart disease remains the leading cause of death, COVID-19 has surpassed cancer in recent years. The data also highlights the importance of reducing risk factors for the leading causes of death, such as maintaining a healthy heart, avoiding drug overdoses, and managing diabetes. As we continue to track mortality data, researchers and policymakers can use this information to design targeted interventions and programs that aim to reduce preventable deaths.

Top Causes of Death for Age 52 Men

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease3,705
COVID-192,903
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)2,295
Cancer2,110
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)798
Diabetes638
Suicide567
Homicide194
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease191
Septicemia168
Kidney Disease167
Flu (Non-COVID)132
HIV67
Congenital Malformations52
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids43
Viral Hepatitis36

The mortality data for men aged 52 reveals that heart disease is the leading cause of death, responsible for 3,705 fatalities. COVID-19 is the second leading cause of death for this demographic, resulting in 2,903 deaths. Accidents, including overdoses, rank third with 2,295 fatalities followed by cancer with 2,110 deaths.

Liver disease, including cirrhosis, is the fifth leading cause of death with 798 fatalities, while diabetes ranks sixth with 638 fatalities. Suicide ranks seventh with 567 fatalities, followed by homicide with 194 fatalities. Chronic lower respiratory disease and septicemia are responsible for 191 and 168 fatalities, respectively, and round out the top ten leading causes of death.

Kidney disease, flu (non-COVID), HIV, congenital malformations, pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, and viral hepatitis were also responsible for causing fatalities in men aged 52.

The data highlights the critical need for preventive measures that could help men avoid risk factors for the leading causes of death such as maintaining a healthy heart, avoiding accidents including drug overdoses, and managing conditions like liver disease and diabetes. Depending on a location’s trends, the data can be used by healthcare institutions, policymakers and researchers to design programs and interventions that have the potential to reduce preventable deaths due to the leading causes of death for men aged 52.

Common Causes of Death for 52-Year-Old Women

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Cancer2,243
Heart Disease1,684
COVID-191,589
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)912
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)453
Diabetes327
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease228
Suicide200
Septicemia148
Kidney Disease128
Flu (Non-COVID)77
Homicide54
Congenital Malformations47
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids41
HIV37

The 2021 CDC data on causes of death for 52-year-old women shows that cancer is the leading cause of death, with 2,243 fatalities. Heart disease ranks as the second leading cause with 1,684 fatalities, and COVID-19 is the third with 1,589 fatalities. Accidents, which include overdoses and other unintentional fatalities, are the fourth leading cause of death with 912 fatalities.

Liver disease, including cirrhosis, is the fifth leading cause of death with 453 fatalities, while diabetes ranks sixth with 327 fatalities. Chronic lower respiratory disease caused 228 fatalities and suicide was the eighth leading cause of death with 200 fatalities. Septicemia, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, ranks ninth with 148 fatalities, while Kidney Disease rounds out the top ten with 128 fatalities.

Flu (non-COVID), homicide, congenital malformations, pneumonitis due to solids and liquids, and HIV were also listed as causes of death, but with smaller numbers of fatalities.

The data highlights the persistence of cancer and heart disease as leading causes of death for 52-year-old women. Additionally, COVID-19 has emerged as a significant cause of mortality for this demographic in recent years. Accidents, liver disease, and diabetes are also notable causes of death to consider. Overall, this data can help inform researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in understanding and addressing the risk factors associated with these leading causes of death for 52-year-old women.