Death rates remain higher than expected post-pandemic

New research conducted by the University of Minnesota has revealed alarming trends in early adult mortality in the United States. According to the study, death rates for adults aged 25–44 have risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to remain higher than expected post-pandemic.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed death rates from 1999–2023 and found that early adult death rates in 2023 were about 70% higher than they would have been if the rising trend in mortality had not started around 2010. This negative trend was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a nearly 20% increase in death rates between 2019 and 2023.

One of the key findings of the study was that drug-related deaths emerged as the leading cause of excess mortality in 2023, compared to previous years. Other significant contributing factors included various natural causes such as cardiometabolic and nutritional issues, as well as external causes like transport-related deaths.

Lead author Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the devastating impact of opiate deaths on early and middle-aged Americans. She emphasized that the increase in mortality is not limited to drug and alcohol-related deaths but also encompasses a wide range of causes such as car collisions, circulatory diseases, and metabolic disorders.

According to Andrew Stokes from Boston University, the study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policies to address the structural factors driving the deteriorating health of young adults. Suggestions for potential solutions include expanding access to nutritious foods, strengthening social services, and implementing stricter regulations on industries that impact public health.

The researchers plan to further investigate the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the underlying trends that were already in place prior to its onset. By understanding the complex factors contributing to the rise in early adult mortality, they hope to develop targeted interventions to address this pressing public health issue.

For more information on the study, you can access the published article in JAMA Network Open. The University of Minnesota provided this valuable research, highlighting the importance of addressing the underlying causes of rising mortality rates among early adults in the United States.