An estimated 63,600 deaths were attributable to air pollution in the United States in 2021. The annual number of deaths attributable to air pollution in the United States has dropped significantly since 1990. The decline in deaths has coincided with improved air quality, with PM2.5 levels in the U.S. falling more than 40 percent since the turn of the century.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for Cook County, IL (CDC20N2U017031) from 1999 to 2020 about Cook County, IL; Chicago; premature; death; IL; rate; and USA.

This statistic shows how many years earlier male and female smokers die on average as a results of smoking in the United States. It is estimated, that on average a woman who smokes will die 14.5 years earlier than a woman who doesn't.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for Richmond County, GA (CDC20N2U013245) from 1999 to 2020 about Richmond County, GA; Augusta; premature; death; GA; rate; and USA.

In 2022, more than 14 thousand people below the age of 80 living in large central metropolitan areas died prematurely of preventable heart disease. In contrast, slightly less than eight thousand premature deaths from heart disease were recorded in noncore regions. In the previous year, the number of premature deaths from heart disease was over 28 thousand in large central metropolitan regions in the United States.

United States US: Welfare Costs of Premature Deaths from Exposure to Lead:(GDP) Gross Domestic ProductEquivalent data was reported at 0.570 % in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.570 % for 2018. United States US: Welfare Costs of Premature Deaths from Exposure to Lead:(GDP) Gross Domestic ProductEquivalent data is updated yearly, averaging 0.710 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.990 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.570 % in 2019. United States US: Welfare Costs of Premature Deaths from Exposure to Lead:(GDP) Gross Domestic ProductEquivalent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.OECD.GGI: Social: Air Quality and Health: OECD Member: Annual.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for Broward County, FL (CDC20N2U012011) from 1999 to 2020 about Broward County, FL; Miami; premature; death; FL; rate; and USA.

It is estimated that more than 50,000 premature deaths could be avoided annually in the United States if all energy-related emissions were eliminated. Removing air pollutant emissions released into the air by on-road vehicles prevents the most number of premature deaths, at almost 12,000. This is followed by emissions removals from residential/commercial fuel use.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for Denver County, CO (CDC20N2U008031) from 1999 to 2020 about Denver County, CO; Denver; premature; death; CO; rate; and USA.

This multi-scale map shows life expectancy - a widely-used measure of health and mortality. From the 2020 County Health Rankings page about Life Expectancy:"Life Expectancy is an AverageLife Expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live, according to the current mortality experience (age-specific death rates) of the population. Life Expectancy takes into account the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period, allowing us to compare data across counties with different population sizes.Life Expectancy is Age-AdjustedAge is a non-modifiable risk factor, and as age increases, poor health outcomes are more likely. Life Expectancy is age-adjusted in order to fairly compare counties with differing age structures.What Deaths Count Toward Life Expectancy?Deaths are counted in the county where the individual lived. So, even if an individual dies in a car crash on the other side of the state, that death is attributed to his/her home county.Some Data are SuppressedA missing value is reported for counties with fewer than 5,000 population-years-at-risk in the time frame.Measure LimitationsLife Expectancy includes mortality of all age groups in a population instead of focusing just on premature deaths and thus can be dominated by deaths of the elderly.[1] This could draw attention to areas with higher mortality rates among the oldest segment of the population, where there may be little that can be done to change chronic health problems that have developed over many years. However, this captures the burden of chronic disease in a population better than premature death measures.[2]Furthermore, the calculation of life expectancy is complex and not easy to communicate. Methodologically, it can produce misleading results caused by hidden differences in age structure, is sensitive to infant and child mortality, and tends to be overestimated in small populations."Click on the map to see a breakdown by race/ethnicity in the pop-up: Full details about this measureThere are many factors that play into life expectancy: rates of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity, prevalence of tobacco use, prevalence of domestic violence, and many more.Data from County Health Rankings 2020 (in this layer and referenced below), available for nation, state, and county, and available in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World

China and India saw the largest number of air pollution-related deaths worldwide in 2021, with more than two million recorded in each. Together, the world's two most populous countries accounted for approximately 55 percent of global deaths from diseases linked to air pollution that year. Health effects of air pollution There are a number of health impacts linked to air pollution. These range from milder symptoms like sore throats and irritated eyes, to more serious effects that increase the risk of premature mortality, including strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer. Where is air pollution highest? In 2023, the world's most polluted countries based on PM2.5 concentrations were Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, with average levels in each country more than 10 times above World Health Organization (WHO) recommended guidelines. That year, 21 of the 25 world’s most polluted cities were in India, with annual PM2.5 levels in the most polluted city averaging more than 20 times above WHO limits.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for Orleans Parish, LA (CDC20N2U022071) from 1999 to 2020 about Orleans Parish, LA; New Orleans; premature; death; LA; rate; and USA.

The number of premature deaths attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in Luxembourg totaled 80 in 2021. This was double the number of deaths related to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure that year. Air pollution can cause many health issues, such as lung cancer, asthma, and strokes.

This statistic shows the distribution of annual premature deaths attributable to on-road diesel vehicle NOx emissions in the United States as of 2015. According to the data, three percent of all premature deaths from on-road diesel vehicle NOx emissions could be attributed to excess NOx emissions from cars and vans.

In 2022, there were more than three thousand preventable premature deaths attributed to stroke in large central metropolitan areas in the United States. In contrast, there were only around 1.1 thousand preventable premature deaths attributed to stroke in noncore regions in the same year.

In 2021, the estimated number of deaths attributable to air pollution throughout Europe totaled almost 437 thousand. Premature deaths caused by air pollution exposure have decreased significantly in the last 30 years, dropping from 942 thousand in 1990 to a low of 427 thousand in 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic started.

There were an estimated 20,700 premature deaths in France attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations above the WHO AQ guideline in 2021. PM2.5 can lead to many health issues, such as lung cancer, asthma, and strokes.

Graph and download economic data for Age-Adjusted Premature Death Rate for Orleans Parish, LA (CDC20N2UAA022071) from 1999 to 2020 about Orleans Parish, LA; New Orleans; premature; death; LA; rate; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for El Paso County, TX (CDC20N2U048141) from 1999 to 2020 about El Paso County, TX; El Paso; premature; death; TX; rate; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Premature Death Rate for DeKalb County, GA (CDC20N2U013089) from 1999 to 2020 about De Kalb County, GA; Atlanta; premature; death; GA; rate; and USA.