The leading causes of death among Black residents in the United States in 2023 included diseases of the heart, cancer, unintentional injuries, and stroke. The leading causes of death for African Americans generally reflect the leading causes of death for the entire United States population. However, a major exception is that death from assault or homicide is the seventh leading cause of death among African Americans but is not among the ten leading causes for the general population.
Homicide among African Americans
The homicide rate among African Americans has been higher than that of other races and ethnicities for many years. In 2023, around Black people were murdered in the United States, compared to white people. A majority of these homicides are committed with firearms, which are easily accessible in the United States. In 2023, around Black people died by firearms.Ìý