Mortality in the United States is best summarized by the age-adjusted death rate—a measure that accounts for changes in the age distribution of the population. In 2010, the age-adjusted death rate for the United States was 746.2 per 100,000 population. This represents a 0.5 percent drop from the rate in 2009 (749.6). The highest mortality was observed for the non-Hispanic black population (918.1) followed by the non-Hispanic white population (754.1). Still, death rates for all race and ethnic groups have generally been decreasing since 1950. Much of the recent improvements in death rates and life expectancy for all population groups can be attributed to ongoing reductions in death rates from major causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. The figures presented in this report are based on preliminary mortality data for 2010 and final data for 2000-2009.