NEWSAnalysisWhat We're Watchingby ian bremmerGZERO NorthGZERO AIThe Graphic TruthGZERO Explains
VIDEOSGZERO World with Ian BremmerQuick TakeIn 60 SecondsIan ExplainsGZERO ReportsPUPPET REGIMEGlobal Stage
TOPICSAIChinaClimateEconomyPoliticsRussia/Ukraine WarScience & Tech
REGIONSUS & CanadaEuropeLatin America & CaribbeanMiddle EastAfricaAsiaAustralia & Pacific
ABOUTAbout GZERO MediaMedia KitEventsCareersGAMES
Graphic Truth

The Graphic Truth: COVID vs cancer, heart disease in US

The Graphic Truth: COVID vs cancer, heart disease in US
The US passed a grim milestone this week, surpassing 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest total death toll in the world. COVID has now outpaced other killer diseases like cancer and heart disease to become the leading US cause of death. As a result, life expectancy in pandemic-ravaged America dropped by a year to 77.8 in the first half of 2020 — the largest dip since World War II. But there is some good news on the horizon: COVID hospitalizations and deaths are falling fast while the vaccine rollout picks up steam. To contextualize the scope of the crisis in America, we compare the average number of daily deaths from COVID over the past year to deaths from heart disease and cancer during the same period.
Annie Gugliotta
Carlos Santamaria
and
Annie Gugliotta
February 23, 2021

The US passed a grim milestone this week, surpassing 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest total death toll in the world. COVID has now outpaced other killer diseases like cancer and heart disease to become the leading US cause of death. As a result, life expectancy in pandemic-ravaged America dropped by a year to 77.8 in the first half of 2020 — the largest dip since World War II. But there is some good news on the horizon: COVID hospitalizations and deaths are falling fast while the vaccine rollout picks up steam. To contextualize the scope of the crisis in America, we compare the average number of daily deaths from COVID over the past year to deaths from heart disease and cancer during the same period.

graphic truthcoronaviruscovid-19united statescancerheart disease

More For You

The Arctic is an arena of incredible global competition, says Alina Polyakova

- YouTube

youtu.be

Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, warns that NATO faces a defining moment.
From the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Polyakova told GZERO's Tony Maciulis that the Arctic has become “an arena of incredible global competition,” with Russia and China expanding their ambitions. While President Trump’s focus reflects “the right instincts” on security, she argues allies must strike a mutual deal to secure the region together.

Most Popular

ABOUTAbout GZERO MediaMedia KitGZERO Blue Circle Careers
CONTACTContact UsPress
PODCASTSGZERO World PodcastLiving Beyond BordersPatching the SystemNext Giant Leap
NEWSLETTERSGZERO DailyGZERO Daily by Ian BremmerGZERO North
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of Use Contact Us
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.