COVID was third leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021

COVID was third leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 was third leading cause of death, even after vaccines became available Adriel Bettelheim Axios

COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021, accounting for 1 in 8 lives lost, according to a new review of death certificate data in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Why it matters: The virus exacted a huge human toll even after vaccines became widely available and indirectly affected other causes of death like heart attacks and strokes, in part by discouraging some Americans from seeking care.

Details: The National Cancer Institute study found COVID-19 trailed only heart disease and cancer among the leading causes of death between March 2020 and October 2021.

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