Overview: A Surprising Crisis Emerging from Global Health Data
A major international study drawing on more than 300,000 data sources warns of an emerging crisis: death rates among teenagers and young adults are stubbornly high in several regions, even as overall mortality declines. Published in The Lancet and presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, the Global Burden of Disease study shows that while life expectancy is improving globally, the health of younger populations is under growing threat from a mix of risk factors and diseases.
What the numbers show
As of 2023, global death rates have fallen across most countries, and life expectancy has risen to 76.3 years for women and 71.5 years for men. Yet regional disparities persist. High-income regions enjoy life expectancy surpassing 83 years, while sub-Saharan Africa remains around 62 years. More urgent, the study highlights rising or persistently high mortality among youths: deaths in this group are tied to diverse causes that mirror local realities, from mental health struggles in North America to infectious diseases and injuries in parts of Africa.
North America and the mental health link
In North America and parts of Latin America, suicide and the misuse of drugs and alcohol are primary drivers of youth mortality. Researchers emphasize that the uptick in deaths among teenagers and young adults is closely linked to rising anxiety and depression in young people, especially among women. The researchers acknowledge a crowded debate around the exact causes, including possible roles for social media, devices, parenting, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. They stress the need for solutions grounded in solid data rather than speculative narratives.
African trends: infectious diseases and non-communicable risks
In sub-Saharan Africa, the data reveal that child mortality between ages five and 14 has been higher than previously thought, driven by infectious diseases and unintentional injuries. For girls and women aged 15 to 29, the death rate is significantly higher than earlier estimates—about 61% higher—primarily due to pregnancy-related deaths, road injuries, and meningitis. Health leaders warn that Africa faces a triple burden: the lingering threat of infectious diseases, rising non-communicable diseases, and the health impacts of climate change, all against a backdrop of strained health systems.
Implications for policy and health systems
“The evidence presented in the Global Burden of Disease study is a wake-up call,” said a lead researcher, urging governments to respond swiftly and strategically. Dr. Githinji Gitahi of Amref Health Africa added that while Africa’s young population holds vast potential, the current health infrastructure must shift toward integrated, youth-centered care. He warned against siloed approaches and called for stronger health systems that align prevention, treatment, and education with the realities of urban and rural youth lifestyles.
<h2 What should be done next?
Experts outline several actionable steps: expanding access to primary care, vaccines, and mental health services; implementing preventative measures against risk factors like high blood pressure, pollution, smoking, and obesity; and strengthening data collection to monitor trends in real time. The study notes that roughly half of the global disease burden is preventable and emphasizes that timely investment—from nutrition education to safer road infrastructure—is essential to curb preventable deaths among young people.
<h2 Funding and global cooperation
The Global Burden of Disease project is a collaboration among thousands of scientists worldwide and is partly funded by philanthropic organizations, including the Gates Foundation. As Emmanuela Gakidou, one of the study’s senior authors, cautions, aid cuts could undermine hard-won progress in low-income regions, widening health gaps. The report calls for sustained, youth-focused public health investment to turn the tide on this emerging crisis.
<h2 Looking ahead
With 60% of people in Africa under 25, leaders have a critical window to invest in preventive care, education, and healthier environments. The aim is clear: transform the health trajectory of a generation by building systems that prevent avoidable deaths and address the complex mix of risks that now shapes youth health outcomes.
