New research from the University of Minnesota has shed light on the alarming rise in death rates among early adults in the United States. According to the study published in JAMA Network Open, death rates for adults aged 25–44 have been on the rise since around 2010, with a significant spike during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2019-2021.
The study found that in 2023, early adult death rates were about 70% higher than expected, indicating a troubling trend that has intensified over the past decade. Drug-related deaths emerged as the leading cause of excess mortality in 2023, followed by a variety of natural causes such as cardiometabolic and nutritional issues, as well as external causes like transport accidents.
Lead author Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the devastating impact of opiate deaths on young and middle-aged Americans. She pointed out that the increase in deaths among early adults is not limited to drug and alcohol-related incidents but also includes a wide range of causes such as car collisions and circulatory diseases.
Andrew Stokes, another author of the study from Boston University, emphasized the need for comprehensive policies to address the structural factors contributing to the worsening health outcomes among young adults. These solutions may include improving access to nutritious foods, enhancing social services, and implementing stricter regulations on industries that impact public health.
The research team plans to further investigate the long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the underlying trends that were already in motion prior to the pandemic. By understanding the complex factors driving the rise in death rates among early adults, policymakers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions to address this pressing public health issue.
For more information on the study, you can access the full article published in JAMA Network Open. The University of Minnesota and Boston University are continuing their collaborative research efforts to explore strategies for combating the ongoing challenges faced by young adults in the United States.
