For the first time since the early 20th century, more people are dying in their homes than in hospitals, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
For the study, researchers analyzed federal death certificates from the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics on natural deaths occurring between 2003 and 2017.
The percentage of people dying at home jumped from 23.8 percent in 2003 to 30.7 percent in 2017, reports ABC News. During the same time period, hospital deaths dropped from 39.7 percent to 29.8 percent.
Individuals who are white or have cancer are more likely to die at home than patients of color or those with other diseases, study authors wrote in an accompanying op-ed published in STAT.
They cited the emergence of hospice care as a potential reason for the increase in at-home deaths.
To view the op-ed, which includes various suggestions for improving the hospice care system, click here.