The mortality rate among adolescents and young adults is increasing at an alarming rate, according to an international study on the causes of death worldwide.
The researchers note that the main causes vary by region: in North America, suicide, drug and alcohol use dominate, while in sub-Saharan Africa, infections and injuries predominate. According to them, these data constitute a “wake-up call” to a global health crisis affecting younger generations.
The study shows that chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, now account for two-thirds of all health problems in the world. Mental disorders, especially depression and anxiety, are also increasing at an alarming rate.
Estimates show that about 50% of the global burden of disease could be prevented if known risk factors such as hypertension, air pollution, smoking and obesity were reduced.
The study, titled "Global Burden of Disease," based on data from 300,000 sources and with the participation of 16,500 scientists from around the world, was published in The Lancet and presented at the World Health Congress in Berlin.
Despite the fact that 2023 saw an overall decrease in global mortality and a recovery in life expectancy in 204 countries, the study's authors express great concern about the increase in mortality among young people.
In North and Latin America, growth is closely linked to suicide, substance use, and mental disorders. In poorer regions, the situation is even more dramatic. Deaths of children aged 5–14 from infectious diseases and accidents are higher than previously thought.
For girls and young women (15–29 years old), mortality is 61% higher in the new estimates, due to complications during childbirth, trauma, and meningitis.
Scientists are particularly concerned about the dramatic increase in mental disorders among adolescents. In the past decade, global rates of anxiety have increased by 63%, while those of depression have increased by 26%. In North America, this has directly contributed to increased mortality, especially among young girls.
Meanwhile, non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, now account for the majority of global mortality and morbidity. This trend is particularly pronounced in middle-income countries, where modern lifestyles are taking a heavy toll: obesity, poor diet and lack of physical activity.
