While VID mortality has decreased overall, this study revealed disproportionately higher mortality among certain demographic groups and geographic areas, with American Indian and Alaska Native patients, rural residents, and Midwest residents experiencing the highest age-adjusted mortality rates.
Key Findings
Results
There were 375,938 total VID deaths in the USA between 1999 and 2022, with the majority occurring in females.
Total deaths: 375,938 among US residents aged ≥15 years with VID listed on their death certificate
61.5% of deaths occurred in females and 38.5% in males
Study period spanned 1999 to 2022
Data sourced from the CDC WONDER Multiple Causes of Death database
Results
Overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for VID was highest in 1999 and lowest in 2018, followed by an increase from 2019 to 2021.
The overall AAMR was highest in 1999 at the start of the study period
The lowest overall AAMR was recorded in 2018
AAMR increased from 2019 to 2021, suggesting a reversal of the declining trend in recent years
Overall VID mortality decreased across the full study period despite the recent uptick
Results
American Indian and Alaska Native patients had the highest overall AAMR for the majority of the study period.
American Indian and Alaska Native individuals experienced the highest AAMR among all racial groups for most of the 1999–2022 study period
Asian or Pacific Islander individuals had the lowest overall AAMR among all racial groups
Racial disparities in VID mortality were identified as a key demographic finding of the study
Results
VID mortality rates varied by US census region, with the Midwest having the highest average AAMR and the Northeast having the lowest.
On average, AAMR was highest in the Midwest census region
On average, AAMR was lowest in the Northeast census region
Geographic region was identified as a significant factor in VID mortality disparities
Results
Rural areas had higher VID mortality rates than urban areas for most of the study period.
AAMR in rural areas remained higher than in urban areas for the majority of the 1999–2022 study period
Urban/rural location was identified as a demographic factor associated with disparities in VID mortality
The authors highlight the need for improved preventative care, early diagnoses, and effective interventions for rural populations
Nooney M, Rensted A, Billion T, Mirza M. (2026). Trends in the mortality of vascular intestinal disorders in the USA: a CDC WONDER analysis.. BMJ open. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-107273