what is the number one cause of death for teens in the u.s.?

The number one cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. is accidents or unintentional injuries , including car crashes and drug overdoses, with the rate being about 22 deaths per 100,000 teens in 2022. These accidental deaths have been the leading cause for decades, though the types of accidents have shifted, with a rising share due to drug overdoses and poisoning and a declining share from motor vehicle crashes.