In some welcome news for public health, diabetes-related deaths in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest levels in years, according to early data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the death rate from diabetes fell to 26.4 per 100,000 people by the third quarter of 2024. That’s a noticeable improvement from 31.1 per 100,000 in 2021, when lockdowns, overwhelmed hospitals, and delayed care hit chronic illness management hard.

So, what’s behind the turnaround?

Experts say improved access to healthcare post-pandemic, better public awareness, and the rise of new treatments like Ozempic and Mounjaro have helped people manage diabetes more effectively. These medications not only lower blood sugar but also support weight loss, a major factor in Type 2 diabetes.

While we haven’t fully returned to pre-pandemic numbers—94,294 deaths in 2024 compared to 87,647 in 2019—we’re moving in the right direction. Fewer lives lost means more time with family, more years of health, and a growing sense that progress is possible.