It is an alarming trend.
A recent study reveals that young adults continue to die at unexpectedly high rates, largely due to drug overdoses and poor health. The mortality rate among adults aged 25 to 44 was 70% higher in 2023 compared to what would have been predicted based on trends before 2011, according to research published on January 31 in JAMA Network Open.
The study, led by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, found that while mortality rates declined after the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic, excess deaths remained significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The trend of rising early deaths began before the pandemic, with deaths among adults 25 to 44 being nearly 35% higher than expected in 2019. During the pandemic, the excess mortality rate for this age group nearly tripled compared to 2019 levels. By 2023, although the surge had somewhat subsided, deaths still remained 70% above expectations.
The researchers warned that unless these trends are reversed, the situation could worsen, contributing to a broader mortality crisis.
In 2023, drug overdoses were responsible for nearly 32% of deaths in young adults. Accidents accounted for around 14%, alcohol-related deaths made up almost 9%, and homicides represented 8%. The study emphasized that drug poisoning was the leading cause of excess deaths, though other causes—both external and natural—also exceeded what would have been expected based on previous trends.
Dr. Sanjey Gupta, senior vice president of emergency medicine at Northwell Health, noted that even conditions typically seen in older adults, like heart disease and diabetes, are now contributing to premature deaths among young people. Gupta, who was not involved in the study, highlighted an alarming rise in hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among youth, which may have long-term health consequences as these individuals age.
The study’s two phases of rising mortality—before and after 2020—suggest that the pandemic’s ongoing impact may still be affecting the health of young adults. Some may be grappling with the long-term effects of severe COVID-19 infections, while others might have ignored developing health issues due to disruptions in regular medical care during the pandemic.
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