For the first time since the pandemic began, COVID-19 is no longer one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States. According to new data from the CDC, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020. However, the number of deaths has dropped significantly from its peak of over 463,000 in 2021 to about 47,000 in 2024. This is a major improvement, though the virus is still among the top 15 causes of death.

Have The Death Rates Dropped In The US?

Overall, the United States saw a 4% drop in deaths last year, which marks the third year in a row that this has happened. This positive trend was observed across most age groups and among people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Despite this overall improvement, some groups still face higher death rates. For example, death rates are higher for men than for women, and they are also higher for older adults and for Black Americans compared to other groups.

Which Groups Were Affected The Most?

Even with the overall improvement, the report shows that death rates are not the same for everyone. When looking at racial and ethnic groups, the death rate was highest for the Black population at 884 deaths per 100,000 people, while it was lowest for multiracial people at 332.3 per 100,000.

When it comes to age groups, the death rate was lowest for children between 5 and 14 years old, at 14.4 deaths per 100,000. As expected, the rate was highest for people aged 85 and older, at a very high 13,835.5 deaths per 100,000. Experts say that healthy lifestyle choices, like eating well and staying at a healthy weight, are some of the best ways for people to reduce their risk from many of the leading causes of death.

What Remain The Leading Causes Of Death In US?

The leading causes of death in the U.S. remain chronic diseases. Heart disease and cancer are the top two, responsible for over 40% of all deaths combined. In 2024, heart disease caused 683,492 deaths, and cancer caused 619,876 deaths. So to list it, the top causes of death in US according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in 2024 remain,

• Heart Disease: 683,492 deaths
• Cancer: 619,876 deaths
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 197,448 deaths
• Strokes: 166,855 deaths
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 145,643 deaths
• Alzheimer's disease: 116,022 deaths
• Diabetes: 94,445 deaths
• Kidney disease: 55,081 deaths
• Chronic liver disease: 52,274 deaths
• Suicide: 48,821 deaths

September is observed as Suicide Prevention Month, a reminder to talk about mental health, intervene early, and build systems that prevent lives from being lost. This year, much of the conversation has shifted to technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), which is becoming a more common entry point for people seeking help.

But can AI truly support people in crisis? Or does it risk creating a false sense of care that could turn deadly? To explore these questions, we spoke to Dr. Amit Malik, a psychiatrist and mental health advocate, about the potential and pitfalls of using AI in mental health care.

Comfort vs. Clinical Care

In recent months, there have been troubling cases where AI chatbots provided unsafe or even harmful advice, including encouraging self-harm. For Dr. Malik, this highlights a deeper problem.

“Feeling heard is not the same as being helped,” he explains. “Empathy in tone does not equate clinical judgment, and without that distinction, technology risks creating a dangerous illusion of care.”

The danger lies in how “human-like” AI can sound. A warm response might comfort someone temporarily, but without the ability to assess risk or recommend a safe intervention, it could delay someone from seeking real help, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Also Read: Illinois Becomes First US State To Ban AI-Powered Mental Health Therapy; Why Is This Step Important In Ensuring Patient Safety?

Building Guardrails Around AI

Experts agree that AI systems in mental health must be developed with strict safeguards. Dr. Malik stresses that this means embedding clinical oversight at every stage, from design to deployment.

Every AI feature, he says, should be co-designed with experienced clinicians, tested in real-life scenarios, and reviewed for risks before being rolled out. Safety protocols should go beyond keyword detection, with systems trained to pick up subtle markers of risk, such as hopelessness or withdrawal, and respond appropriately.

The goal is not to replace therapists but to ensure that if someone expresses suicidal thoughts, the system can pause the interaction, offer empathetic reassurance, and redirect them toward human help, whether that’s a helpline, an on-call clinician, or emergency services.

Can AI Help Close the Care Gap?

India’s mental health treatment gap is stark: fewer than 10,000 psychiatrists and psychologists serve over a billion people, with most concentrated in major cities. In many districts, there are no specialists at all. Cost, stigma, and distance further prevent people from seeking care.

Against this backdrop, AI could serve as an accessible first step, if used carefully.

1. Triage and Signposting

AI systems can be available 24/7, providing a low-barrier entry point for someone in a remote village or a teenager who cannot talk openly about mental health at home. While AI cannot treat mental illness, it can assess risk, provide basic information, and guide people to the right resource, from crisis helplines to counselling services.

2. Supporting Clinicians

A large share of a clinician’s day goes into documentation and administrative work. AI can assist by transcribing session notes, summarizing treatment plans, and automating routine tasks, freeing up time for therapists to focus on listening, assessing, and intervening.

3. Continuity Between Sessions

Recovery often depends on what happens between therapy sessions. AI can act as a gentle reminder, prompting users to reflect on their progress, practice coping strategies, and stay engaged. This sustained support can improve retention and outcomes over time.

Read More: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens

The Limits of AI in a Crisis

Despite its promise, experts remain cautious about relying on AI during mental health crises.

“Crises demand rapid assessment, nuanced decision-making, and the ability to respond to subtle cues in real time, things that AI simply cannot replicate today,” Dr. Malik says.

AI can help by flagging concerning patterns, such as repeated expressions of hopelessness, and alerting a clinician sooner. But it cannot replace the work of sitting with a person in distress, understanding the context of their feelings, and making the split-second judgments needed to keep them safe.

Conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or severe depression often require medication, hospitalization, or a multidisciplinary team, psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and caregivers, working together. No algorithm can hold someone through a manic episode or guide them in rebuilding routines after hospital discharge.

Designing for Safety, Not Just Scale

The real challenge, experts say, is not deciding whether AI belongs in mental health, but figuring out how to use it responsibly. When done right, AI could widen access, ease clinician workload, and help sustain engagement. When done wrong, it risks offering “care” without substance, and leaving vulnerable people more isolated than before.

For Suicide Prevention Month, the message is clear: technology is only as good as the systems and people behind it. AI can be a powerful tool, but human judgment, empathy, and connection must remain at the centre of mental health care.

Health officials are concerned about a big increase in West Nile virus infections this year. The number of cases is running 40% higher than what is normally expected by this time of year. So far, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention data shows more than 770 cases have been reported across the country, with about 490 of them being severe. This is a significant jump from the usual average of 550 cases.

The state’s public health commissioner, Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a statement last week, “West Nile virus can be a very serious disease and its presence in mosquitoes remains high right now in Massachusetts,”

Since the virus is most often spread by mosquito bites in late summer and early fall, health officials are issuing urgent warnings. They want the public to be aware of the rise in infections and take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes, as the number of severe cases is also much higher than usual.

Also Read: Physiotherapists Are Not Doctors, Cannot Use ‘Dr’ Title, Rules Health Authority In India

What is West Nile Virus?

The West Nile virus is a disease that spreads to people through mosquito bites. Most of the time, people who get infected don't have any symptoms at all and don’t even know they have the virus.

Others may get a mild illness with flu-like symptoms such as headaches, body aches, joint pain, or a skin rash. However, in a small number of people, the virus can be very serious and dangerous. It can cause severe swelling of the brain or spinal cord, which can be life-threatening and may even lead to death. The concern this year is that the number of severe cases is much higher than in previous years.

Why Are Cases Up This Year?

Health officials say the problem isn't that there are more mosquitoes than in past years. Instead, it's that a higher percentage of the mosquitoes are carrying the virus and are capable of spreading it. The rate of infection in mosquitoes is affected by things like temperature and rainfall.

For example, the state of Colorado has reported a much higher number of cases, and a "hot spot" city, Fort Collins, had an unusually high rate of infected mosquitoes. The combination of a wet and warm year likely helped the virus spread more efficiently among the mosquito population.

What is The First Sign of West Nile Virus in Children?

Most people who get West Nile virus, including children, have a mild illness. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 14 days after a mosquito bite and can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Skin rash
• Swollen glands

In about 1 in 150 cases, the virus can become severe, especially in people over 60. This is when the virus affects the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms of a serious infection require immediate medical attention and may include:

• High fever and severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or disorientation
• Tremors or muscle weakness
• Paralysis or coma

How to Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus?

Health officials are giving the public simple, clear advice to avoid getting sick. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites. You can do this by wearing long sleeves and long pants to cover your skin whenever you are outside, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

You should also be sure to use an insect repellent that is approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). These simple steps can greatly reduce your risk of getting infected. While the virus can be dangerous, taking these small, easy precautions is the best way for people to protect themselves and their families.

One of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, Anurag Kashyap is known for his innovative and out-of-the-box filmmaking, giving us movies and series like Gangs of Wasseypur, Maharaja, Black Friday etc. However, even he couldn’t escape the health implications that come with the stressful.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap went through one of the most difficult phases of his life when his health completely collapsed. He suffered from a heart attack and also had repeated asthma attacks, which forced him to take steroids. In an interview with Pema Wellness Resort, he opened up about his experience and how this incident showed him why he should take wellness more seriously.

Instead of helping, the medicines left him feeling weak, confused, and emotionally drained. What shocked him the most was that this happened despite his healthy lifestyle.

However, what kind of lifestyle did the popular filmmaker have before he had his heart attack. Anurag explained that before this, he regularly exercised, ate well, and believed he was taking good care of himself. But suddenly, his body started changing in ways he could not understand—he gained weight quickly, his hair began to fall out, and his hair even started turning grey much earlier than expected. None of the usual fitness programs or treatments gave him answers, leaving him frustrated. This made him realize he needed to look for a completely new way of healing.

How Did Anurag Kashyap Lose 27Kgs?

At this low point, a close friend suggested he try the Pema Wellness Retreat in Hyderabad. Curious and desperate for answers, Anurag went there. It was at Pema that he finally discovered the real reason behind his health crisis—chronic stress. Under the care of Dr. Murthy, he understood how stress was silently damaging his body from within. The pressure of work, long hours, and constant worries were disrupting his health in ways he had never considered. This knowledge was eye-opening for him. For the first time, he shifted his attention away from only his career and began to focus on his own well-being. This change in mindset marked the beginning of his healing journey.

Addressing the Root Cause

Anurag eventually understood that his problems were not only about his heart or asthma but deeply connected to stress. Stress was silently harming his body for years. Once he learned to manage it, instead of avoiding it, his healing truly began.

A Strict Dietary Plan

To restart his health journey, Anurag agreed to an 11-day liquid diet. For someone who loved food, it felt impossible at first. Yet, he pushed through, lost weight, cleansed his system, and discovered the discipline to reset his eating patterns.

Daily Personalized Care

Unlike most programs, Anurag received daily doctor check-ins at Pema. Every day his diet, sleep, and exercise were monitored and adjusted carefully. This personal approach made him feel supported and ensured his treatment was customized completely to his body’s needs.

New Practices for Mind and Body

Anurag began adding calming therapies into his daily life. Practicing Hatha Yoga twice a day gave him strength and flexibility, while pranayama, a deep breathing technique, helped him control stress, relax his mind, and feel lighter, both emotionally and physically.

A Shift in Mindset

The biggest lesson Anurag carried home was the importance of self-care. Earlier, he always placed work above health. At Pema, he realized his well-being must come first. This mindset change became the foundation of his complete physical and emotional transformation.

Weight Loss Is Not Same For Everyone

Every day, he had one-on-one consultations with a doctor who closely monitored his sleep, exercise, diet, and overall progress. Instead of a generic plan, his treatment was customized specifically for him. Along with diet and rest, he received therapies like massages and daily Hatha Yoga sessions, which further helped his recovery.

He explained how his treatment made him realize a lot of different things. “for the first time I saw a massive difference, I've lost 27 kgs since then.”

Through this holistic and carefully guided approach, Anurag learned the value of putting his health first. He realized that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, and this lesson completely changed how he views life and work.