Definition
Deaths among those aged 15 through 24 yearsNumerator
Number of deaths among persons aged 15-24 yearsDenominator
Number of persons aged 15-24 years in the populationWhy Is This Important?
The deaths of teens and young adults present a public health concern and an opportunity for prevention. The leading cause of death among persons 15-24 years old is injury. These deaths are, for the most part, preventable.How Are We Doing?
The leading causes of death among teens and young adults aged 15-24 years are unintentional injury, homicide, suicide, cancer, and heart disease. In 2020, more than half of unintentional injury deaths in this age group were due to drug poisoning. The death rate among Blacks aged 15-24 years is significantly above the rates for other racial/ethnic groups but the gap has narrowed in recent years.How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
The death rate among New Jersey residents aged 15-24 years is significantly lower than the national rate.