Rising Trends in Obesity and Heart Failure: Related Mortality in the United States, 1999-2024.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Obesity is a major public health crisis in the United States and a key contributor to heart failure (HF). Both conditions independently increase mortality risk, yet national trends in obesity and HF-related deaths remain underexplored across demographic and geographic subgroups.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term trends in obesity and HF-related mortality among U.S. adults from 1999 to 2024, with emphasis on disparities by sex, race/ethnicity, age, urbanization, and region.

Methods

Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 adults aged ≥25 years were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Deaths with both obesity and HF listed as underlying or contributing causes were included. Temporal trends were assessed using joinpoint regression to calculate annual percent change (APC) and average APC with 95% CIs.

Results

From 1999 to 2024, 161,870 obesity and HF-related deaths were identified. The AAMR increased from 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1-1.2) to 4.5 (95% CI: 4.4-4.6), with an average APC of 5.3% (95% CI: 4.9-5.7; P < 0.001). Mortality was higher in men than women (5.0 vs 4.0). Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest AAMR (7.7), followed by White (4.6) and Hispanic (2.2). The Midwest had the greatest burden (4.8), and rural areas exceeded urban ones. Adults ≥65 years had the highest rate (13.2 in 2024), while those aged 25 to 44 years saw a threefold increase.

Conclusions

Obesity and HF-related mortality have more than tripled, with persistent disparities underscoring the need for urgent, equity-focused public health strategies.

SUBMITTER: Sajid M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615744 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature