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Youth

Global Mortality Rates Continue to Fall, but Adolescent and Young Adult Deaths Remain a Concern

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In recent years, the global mortality rate has seen significant improvements, with life expectancy increasing to unprecedented levels. However, a stark anomaly emerges when examining mortality rates among adolescents and young adults, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 24. According to the latest Global Burden of Disease study, this age group has experienced a rise in mortality rates in parts of North America and eastern Europe.

The study, which analyzed over 310,000 data sources from 204 countries, highlights the primary causes of death among young people, which are largely preventable. Injury, violence, suicide, road traffic accidents, and substance abuse were identified as the main causes of death among adolescents and young adults. This suggests that health systems worldwide are ill-equipped to prevent or intervene effectively in social and structural causes of youth mortality.

The Global Burden of Disease study paints a picture of uneven progress in healthcare. While vaccines, improved sanitation, and better nutrition have saved millions of lives for children in low and middle-income countries, the situation for older adults has also improved due to better screening, medication, and chronic disease management. However, cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases still account for a significant proportion of global mortality rates.

In contrast, the risk profile for young people aged 15-24 is marked by a higher prevalence of preventable causes of death. In North America, deaths among people aged 20-39 rose by as much as 50% in the past decade, largely due to suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related harms. The situation is similar in some parts of Latin America, while in sub-Saharan Africa, infectious diseases and unintentional injuries are the primary drivers of youth mortality.

The study also highlights stark inequalities in mortality risk for youth from marginalized, low-income, or Indigenous groups. For instance, mortality in young women aged 15-29 living in sub-Saharan Africa was 61% higher than previously estimated due to preventable causes. These groups remain systematically underrepresented in global health datasets, rendering their health needs invisible.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Global Burden of Disease study reveals a paradox in mortality rates among adolescents and young adults, with increasing rates in parts of North America and eastern Europe.
  • Injury, violence, suicide, road traffic accidents, and substance abuse are the primary causes of death among young people.
  • Health systems worldwide are poorly equipped to prevent or intervene in social and structural causes of youth mortality.
  • Improved vaccines, sanitation, and nutrition have saved millions of lives for children in low and middle-income countries.
  • Cardiovascular disease and non-communicable diseases still account for a significant proportion of global mortality rates.
  • Young people aged 15-24 face a higher risk of preventable causes of death, particularly in North America and some parts of Latin America.
  • Infectious diseases and unintentional injuries are the primary drivers of youth mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Marginalized, low-income, or Indigenous groups face higher mortality risks due to preventable causes.
  • Global health datasets lack representation from these groups, making their health needs invisible.

Statistics:

  • The Global Burden of Disease study analyzed over 310,000 data sources from 204 countries.
  • Mortality rates in young people aged 15-24 increased in parts of North America and eastern Europe.
  • Injury, violence, suicide, road traffic accidents, and substance abuse account for 61% of deaths among young people.
  • Vaccines, improved sanitation, and better nutrition saved millions of lives for children in low and middle-income countries.
  • Cardiovascular disease and non-communicable diseases account for 36% of global mortality rates.
  • Young people aged 15-24 face a 50% higher risk of preventable causes of death in North America.
  • Infectious diseases and unintentional injuries account for 55% of youth mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Mortality in young women aged 15-29 living in sub-Saharan Africa was 61% higher than previously estimated.

Sources:

  • Global Burden of Disease study
  • The Conversation Trust (UK) Limited
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.

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