Influenza and Pneumonia Rise Among Top U.S. Causes of Death Despite Falling Overall Death Rate

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

Influenza and pneumonia have risen to the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2025, with fatalities increasing from 48,139 to 56,511 despite an overall decline in the national death rate. Experts attribute this rise to more severe flu strains and lower vaccination rates, highlighting the need for continued public health efforts to control respiratory illnesses.

Influenza and pneumonia have reemerged as leading causes of death in the United States, ranking among the top 10 for the first time in several years, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This development occurred despite an overall decline in the nation’s death rate in 2025, which dropped to its lowest level on record.

The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics reported that the death rate fell by 4.6% last year, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, down from 722.1 in 2024. This decline was observed across nearly every demographic and age group. Farida Ahmad, a health scientist at the CDC and co-author of the report, attributed the record low primarily to a continued reduction in drug overdose fatalities. She also noted that COVID-19 was responsible for fewer deaths compared to previous years.

In contrast to these positive trends, deaths from influenza and pneumonia climbed significantly. The combined category moved up from 11th to eighth place in the ranking of causes of death across all age groups, with 56,511 deaths in 2025 compared to 48,139 in 2024. This marks the first time since 2020 that influenza has entered the top 10 causes of death.

Geeta Sood, an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, pointed to several factors influencing the increased flu severity during recent seasons. These include variations in the circulating flu strains and a continuing decline in vaccination rates. “Some seasons are better, with lower attack rates and lower morbidity, and other seasons, just by nature of the changes in the viruses, are worse, with more hospitalizations and more deaths,” Sood explained. The 2024-2025 flu season was notably severe, reflecting these shifting dynamics.

The CDC’s findings underscore the complexity of public health challenges, where progress in certain areas, such as overdose prevention and COVID-19 management, coincides with setbacks in others, such as respiratory illnesses caused by influenza and pneumonia. Health experts emphasize the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination efforts to mitigate the impact of these diseases going forward.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.