End of Life Concerns Top 10 Causes of Death for Americans Ages 20 to 24 By Mark Stibich, PhD Mark Stibich, PhD LinkedIn Twitter Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 21, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Sarah Rahal, MD Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD LinkedIn Sarah Rahal, MD, is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Print The causes of death among people ages 20 to 24 in the United States are either congenital (present at birth) or largely preventable. Far too many young people die prematurely and in ways that could have been avoided. This article will go over the top causes of death for people in that age group and how each one can be prevented. 1 Accidents Reza Estakhrian/Getty Images According to 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, accidents account for 45% of deaths among people in the 20 to 24 age group. Motor vehicle accidents alone account for the majority of those. The good news is that the motor vehicle death rate has been going down in recent years. That's due to cars getting safer. To protect yourself, wear your seat belt, drive defensively, and avoid risky behaviors that may lead to accidents. 2 Suicide Suicide accounts for 18% of deaths among people of this age group. Most people who commit suicide feel like it is their only way out of a bad situation. However, people have suicidal thoughts for many reasons. If you experience depression or other mental health issues, seek help. With talk therapy and medications, you can find that life is worth living. In fact, most people who attempt suicide say they regret it. Interviews with 29 people who survived a suicide attempt by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge say they regret set in the moment they jumped. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) right away. This free hotline is available 24 hours a day. 3 Homicide Homicide—murder—is responsible for 15% of deaths between the ages of 15 and 24. In 2017, three quarters of all homicides in the U.S. were committed with firearms. Gun violence is more common in urban and poor communities. You may not have much control over where you live. But you can protect yourself by avoiding dangerous and confrontational situations and seeking help for domestic violence. Recap The top 3 causes of death among 20-24 year olds are mostly preventable. The include accidents (mostly car accidents), suicide, and homicide. Driving safely, getting help for depression, and avoiding confrontations are ways to protect yourself. 4 Cancer Cancer deaths account for 4% of deaths in the 20 to 24 age group. This percentage includes many childhood cancers. So far, there's no proven way to prevent cancer. You may be able to decrease your risk by: Eating a healthy dietStaying activeNot smokingBeing aware of early cancer symptoms and getting early medical help If you're at high risk, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower that risk. 5 Heart Disease Close to 3% of deaths in people 20 to 24 are from heart disease. Exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent and reverse heart disease. However, many young people who die of heart disease were born with it. 6 Congenital Conditions Congenital illnesses account for just under 1% of deaths among this age group. Some of these conditions are inherited from parents, such as cystic fibrosis or maternally transmitted HIV disease. Recap Cancer, heart disease, and congenital conditions are the 4th through 6th leading causes of death in people 20-24. A healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, not smoking) may help prevent cancer and heart disease that's not congenital. Congenital conditions can't be prevented. 7 Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes is the cause for a little under 1% of deaths in this age group. Advances in treatment allow people with diabetes mellitus to live longer lives. But it's still associated with a number of complications. Diabetes increases your risk of having heart attacks and strokes. While there's no cure, a good diet, exercise, and medication can help you manage diabetes mellitus and prevent complications. 8 Pregnancy and Childbirth About 0.7% of deaths among those aged 20-24 happen during pregnancy or during/after childbirth. Causes include: Heart diseaseInfection or sepsisHemorrhagePreeclampsia and eclampsiaComplications of anesthesia You can reduce your risk by: Preventing unwanted pregnanciesGetting proper medical care during pregnancyEating a healthy dietGetting enough sleepStaying active 9 Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Chronic lower respiratory disease accounts for 0.6% of deaths in this age group. These may include: AsthmaChronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)Cystic fibrosisLung cancer To reduce your risk of developing these diseases or developing fatal complications: Don't smokeAvoid second-hand smokeAvoid environmental pollutants (dust, fumes, smoke)Stay away from people with respiratory infectionsStick to your treatment regimen 10 Flu and Pneumonia You may not think that the flu or pneumonia are very dangerous if you're in your early twenties. However, 0.6% of deaths in people 20 to 24 are attributable to these two illnesses. You can prevent that by: Getting a flu vaccine every year Washing your hands regularly If your immune system is compromised, asking your healthcare provider about extra precautions Recap Diabetes, pregnancy and childbirth, chronic lower respiratory disease, flu, and pneumonia round out the top ten causes of death for people 20-24.Diabetes can't be prevented. Preventing unwanted pregnancy and getting medical care can help prevent pregnancy-related death. Don't smoke, get vaccinated, and wash your hands regularly to prevent infection-related death. Top 10 Causes of Death, 20-24 Year Olds CAUSE % PREVENTION Accidents 45% Wear seat beltDrive safely Suicide 18% Therapy for mental health issuesCall suicide hotline Homicide 15% Avoid dangerous situationsGet help for domestic violence Cancer 4% Eat a healthy dietExerciseDon't smokeGet medical help for symptoms Heart disease 3% Eat a healthy dietExerciseDon't smoke Congenital conditions <1% Can't be preventedManaging disease can prevent deadly complications Diabetes <1% Can't prevent diabetesManaging disease can prevent deadly complications Pregnancy/childbirth 0.7% Prevent unwanted pregnancyGet proper medical careEat healthy, get rest, stay active Chronic lower respiratory disease 0.6% Don't smokeAvoid pollutantsAvoid sick peopleFollow treatment regimen Flu/pneumonia 0.6% Get yearly flu vaccineWash hands regularly A Word From Verywell Many potential causes of death are out of your control. However, by adopting a healthy lifestyle and practicing common-sense safety measures, you may be able to avoid most of them. And even if you can't prevent a disease, you may be able to reduce your risk of fatal complications. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of these causes of death and look for ways to lower the risk. Frequently Asked Questions What type of cancers do young adults get? The most common types of cancer for people aged 20-39 include:Breast cancerLymphomas (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin)Melanoma (a skin cancer)Sarcomas (cancers of the bone, muscles, or certain other tissues)Cervical and ovarian cancersThyroid cancerTesticular cancerColorectal cancerBrain and spinal cord tumors What are the leading causes of death for teenagers? For teens 15 to 19, the leading causes of death are accidents, suicide, and homicide. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Vital Statistics Reports. Deaths: Leading causes for 2017. National Safety Council. Car crash deaths and rates. Pew Research Center. What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Cancer prevention overview (PDQ)-Patient version. World Health Organization. Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy mortality surveillance system. Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital. Reducing your risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). American Cancer Society. Types of cancers that develop in young adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adolescent health.