Mapping Mortality: This Is the Leading Cause of Premature Death in Every State

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. since 1921, but what about preventable, premature deaths? According to the CDC, between 20% to 40% of premature deaths are preventable, and accidental injuries are the leading cause of such untimely ends. In fact, every three minutes in the States, someone dies from an unintentional (and avoidable) injury. 

NYRequirements.com conducted a study to determine in which states people are prematurely passing the most — and why they are dying early. The study includes the main reasons behind deaths and determines how many years of life are lost per 100,000 people before they turn 75.

Here's how the results shake out in terms of where you're most likely to die prematurely and how it's most likely to happen.

Years of potential life lost: 13,781

Leading cause of death: Heart disease (16.4%)

Mississippi isn't just the state where you're most likely to experience an expedited expiration date; it's also one of the top states for homicide deaths. Trailing behind heart disease, unintentional injury and malignant neoplasms are also attributable to premature deaths in the state.

Years of potential life lost: 13,072

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (26.1%)

Years of potential life lost: 12,377

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20.2%)

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Years of potential life lost: 12,139

Leading cause of death: Heart disease (17.5%)

Related: Life Expectancy in the Year You Were Born

Years of potential life lost: 11,942

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.2%)

Kentucky cracks the top five for premature deaths with unintentional injury as a leading cause, followed by malignant neoplasms and heart disease.

Related: 12 Easy 'Blue Zone' Recipes To Help You Live Better

Years of potential life lost: 11,896

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (21.2%)

Years of potential life lost: 11,654

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (21.9%)

Years of potential life lost: 11,545

Leading cause of death: Heart disease (17%)

Years of potential life lost: 10,898

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20.7%)

Years of potential life lost: 10,873

Leading cause of death: Heart disease (17.5%)

Okies apparently don't have the longest lifespans, rounding out the top ten states where folks are likely to die prematurely. 

Years of potential life lost: 10,247

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (19.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 10,155

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 10,031

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.6%)

Years of potential life lost: 9,528 

Leading cause of death: Heart disease (15.6%)

Years of potential life lost: 9,469

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.4%)

Arizona is one of those states that retirees flock to in search of consistently warm weather, but it might not be the best choice if statistics like this hold weight for you.

Years of potential life lost: 9,409

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20%)

Years of potential life lost: 9,308

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (16.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 9,255

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (16.4%)

Years of potential life lost: 9,141

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (17.4%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,927

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (17.2%)

We can't help but wonder how many unintentional injuries in Nevada happen in Las Vegas, fueled by alcohol and a "Viva Las Vegas" mentality. 

Years of potential life lost: 8,903

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (23%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,835

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (18.1%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,826

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (16.5%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,820

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (15.6%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,805

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (16.9%)

South Dakota marks the midpoint on the list with malignant neoplasms and heart disease adding to the premature deaths in the state. 

Years of potential life lost: 8,655

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,622

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.5%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,566

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (15.1%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,553

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (17.8%)

Years of potential life lost: 8,423

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (17.7%)

If you don't meet your maker through an accidental injury in North Dakota, you might experience a malignant neoplasm or heart disease in terms of premature deaths.

Years of potential life lost: 8,037

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (23.8%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,931

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (18.6%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,803

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (17.5%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,787

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20.4%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,759

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (18.8%)

Behind unintentional injury and malignant neoplasms, COVID-19 is the leading cause of premature death in New Jersey. 

Years of potential life lost: 7,651

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (16.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,539

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (17.5%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,442

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (21.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,274

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (24.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,153

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (21.6%)

Entering the top ten states where you're least likely to die prematurely, Vermont 's early deaths are also predomintently attributable to unintentional injury and heart disease.

Years of potential life lost: 7,145

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (17.1%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,082

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.9%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,079

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (18.4%)

Years of potential life lost: 7,020

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (19.5%)

Years of potential life lost: 6,765

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (18.4%)

While unintentional injury is the leading cause of premature death in Utah, the state is the top state for deaths caused by people taking their own lives.

Years of potential life lost: 6,724

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (19.2%)

Years of potential life lost: 6,705

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (20.7%)

Years of potential life lost: 6,549

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (18.7%)

Years of potential life lost: 6,500

Leading cause of death: Unintentional injury (22.3%)

Years of potential life lost: 6,413

Leading cause of death: Malignant neoplasms (18.2%)

We can't say we're super surprised that Hawaii comes in last on this list. The place is a paradise in its own right, and we're almost positive that if there's a fountain of youth, it's somewhere in Hawaii.