Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

American Millennials And Gen Z Are Dying Young: 62% Of Deaths Could Be Prevented In 2025

The United States has long been known as a uniquely challenging place to survive. But recent research paints a more alarming picture: Millennials and older Gen Z adults that is, people aged 25 to 44 are dying at rates far higher than their peers in other wealthy nations. And COVID-19, despite playing a significant part, only formed part of a much larger and more systemic issue that unfolded over decades.

Each year, approximately three million Americans pass away. Comparing U.S. mortality rates to other affluent nations uncovers a staggering fact: a quarter of those deaths might have been avoided if the U.S. mortality rate was comparable to that of its counterparts. For Millennials alone, the difference becomes staggering. Of Americans aged 25 to 44, a whopping 62 percent of deaths are "<span>excess deaths</span>," i.e., practically two out of every three deaths in this age group would not have happened if conditions were on par with other industrialized countries.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/florida-aims-to-end-all-vaccine-mandates-says-states-surgeon-general-joseph-ladapo-article-152655704" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Florida Vaccine Mandates Face Complete Elimination Under Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's New Policy</a>

CDC data emphasizes that death rates in young adults, merging the 25–34 and 35–44 groups, vary between 148 and 237 deaths per 100,000 individuals each year. Of all Americans under age 65, nearly half of the deaths are excess deaths. This terrifying trend indicates an endemic, systemic issue in U.S. health, social, and economic systems.

<h2>Has COVID-19 Amplified The Pre-Existing Mortality Trends?</h2>

It would be naive to blame this crisis on COVID-19 alone, though the pandemic certainly exacerbated it. Nonelderly Americans suffered disproportionately high deaths relative to their peers in other rich countries. While COVID played a part in driving up the numbers, the American health disadvantage has been rising steadily for decades, decades before the pandemic, and continues to rise in the post-pandemic era.

A 2023 estimate found about 700,000 "missing Americans"—individuals who perished in 2023 but would have been alive had they been living in a different developed nation. This figure matches nearly to the exact number based on pre-pandemic projections, highlighting that America is more deadly by its very nature, particularly among young adults.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/covid-symptoms-are-different-in-2025-how-long-after-exposure-should-you-get-tested-article-152656657" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">COVID Symptoms Are Different In 2025—How Long After Exposure Should You Get Tested?</a>

<h2>What Are The Systemic Factors Behind the Crisis?</h2>

Why are Millennials dying at such high rates? Experts cite a range of interrelated factors. Deindustrialization has left college-educated Americans economically exposed. Flimsy social safety nets—protecting unemployment, healthcare, and pensions—provide inadequate protection relative to other rich countries. Structural deficiencies in the U.S. health system, including underinsurance, high co-payments, and coverage gaps, compound these vulnerabilities.

In addition, lifestyle and public health issues, such as permissive gun laws, extended commuting, increasing rates of obesity and chronic disease, also contribute to mortality. For Millennials, these complicate the intersection with a variety of external stressors: job uncertainty, increasing living costs, and restricted access to quality healthcare.

<h3>The <span rel="noindex">Opioid Epidemic</span> and Mental Health Crisis</h3>

Opioid epidemic is one of the leading causes of Millennials' excess deaths. According to public health agencies, Millennial opioid overdose fatalities increased more than 500 percent between 1999 and 2017, while synthetic opioid death rates have risen by 6,000 percent. Overdose fatalities, in addition to increasing suicide, homicide, and accident rates, have added to the mortality crisis.

Pandemic stressors amplified these issues. Loss of employment, financial instability, and social isolation led to increased instances of substance use disorders and depression among young adults, compounding mortality patterns already on an upward trend.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/world-sexual-health-day-2025-theme-significance-and-what-you-can-do-to-make-sexual-wellness-everyday-health-article-152655970" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">World Sexual Health Day 2025: Theme, Significance And What You Can Do To Make Sexual Wellness Everyday Health</a>

Obesity is another key factor. Millennials between 30 and 39 have the highest rate of obesity of any age group in the U.S., at 46.4 percent. This severely raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. Although obesity is a problem across all age groups, it is most important during young adulthood, adding to mortality risks already increased by socio-economic and healthcare disparities.

<h3>Economic Disillusionment and Future Prospects</h3>

Millennials have also confronted distinct economic and social challenges. Joining adulthood amid the Great Recession, many found themselves unable to achieve financial security, homeownership, or advancement in their careers. The pandemic only added to these challenges, resulting in increased financial insecurity among young adults with restricted health-promoting resource access.

With social mobility on the decline and economic opportunity still in doubt, stress, worry, and unhealthy behaviors become amplified in a vicious cycle. Technological changes and AI-led changes in the workforce could further widen income inequality and access to care, making Millennials even more exposed.

<h3>Policy Implications and the Need for Intervention</h3>

The glaring disparity in mortality underscores the imperative for policy action. Social safety nets including Medicaid, public health initiatives, and access to affordable care need to be improved to avert more fatalities. Investing in mental health care, treatment of addiction, and preventive care among young adults is the key to halting this ominous trend.

As the Millennial and Gen Z populations approach half of the U.S. electorate, addressing their health and economic inequities is not only a moral imperative but also a political necessity. Policymakers must recognize that investing in the health and well-being of early adults is key to ensuring the country’s long-term social and economic stability.

<h2>Is An Entire Generation at Risk?</h2>

The American death crisis among Millennials and early Gen Z adults is multifaceted, multi-faceted, and seriously troubling. Between 1980 and 2023, there were nearly 14.7 million excess deaths in the United States, and early adults were disproportionately hit. From the opioid crisis to disease, economic insecurity, and systemic gaps in health care, the drivers of this crisis are complex and widespread.

Without immediate action, these trends will persist, putting Millennials and Gen Z Americans at greater risk of death than comparable peers worldwide. An intervention addressing the underlying causes access to healthcare, financial stability, public health programs, and mental health care is necessary to get young Americans not just to survive but to thrive in a nation that has long neglected to safeguard them.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

millennials mortality

gen z deaths

us health crisis

excess deaths

opioid epidemic

chronic disease young adults

american early adults

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The United States has long been known as a uniquely challenging place to survive. But recent research paints a more alarming picture: Millennials and older Gen Z adults that is, people aged 25 to 44 are dying at rates far higher than their peers in other wealthy nations. And COVID-19, despite playing a significant part, only formed part of a much larger and more systemic issue that unfolded over decades.Each year, approximately three million Americans pass away. Comparing U.S. mortality rates to other affluent nations uncovers a staggering fact: a quarter of those deaths might have been avoided if the U.S. mortality rate was comparable to that of its counterparts. For Millennials alone, the difference becomes staggering. Of Americans aged 25 to 44, a whopping 62 percent of deaths are "excess deaths," i.e., practically two out of every three deaths in this age group would not have happened if conditions were on par with other industrialized countries.Also Read: Florida Vaccine Mandates Face Complete Elimination Under Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's New PolicyCDC data emphasizes that death rates in young adults, merging the 25–34 and 35–44 groups, vary between 148 and 237 deaths per 100,000 individuals each year. Of all Americans under age 65, nearly half of the deaths are excess deaths. This terrifying trend indicates an endemic, systemic issue in U.S. health, social, and economic systems.Has COVID-19 Amplified The Pre-Existing Mortality Trends?It would be naive to blame this crisis on COVID-19 alone, though the pandemic certainly exacerbated it. Nonelderly Americans suffered disproportionately high deaths relative to their peers in other rich countries. While COVID played a part in driving up the numbers, the American health disadvantage has been rising steadily for decades, decades before the pandemic, and continues to rise in the post-pandemic era.A 2023 estimate found about 700,000 "missing Americans"—individuals who perished in 2023 but would have been alive had they been living in a different developed nation. This figure matches nearly to the exact number based on pre-pandemic projections, highlighting that America is more deadly by its very nature, particularly among young adults.Also Read: COVID Symptoms Are Different In 2025—How Long After Exposure Should You Get Tested?What Are The Systemic Factors Behind the Crisis?Why are Millennials dying at such high rates? Experts cite a range of interrelated factors. Deindustrialization has left college-educated Americans economically exposed. Flimsy social safety nets—protecting unemployment, healthcare, and pensions—provide inadequate protection relative to other rich countries. Structural deficiencies in the U.S. health system, including underinsurance, high co-payments, and coverage gaps, compound these vulnerabilities.In addition, lifestyle and public health issues, such as permissive gun laws, extended commuting, increasing rates of obesity and chronic disease, also contribute to mortality. For Millennials, these complicate the intersection with a variety of external stressors: job uncertainty, increasing living costs, and restricted access to quality healthcare.The Opioid Epidemic and Mental Health CrisisOpioid epidemic is one of the leading causes of Millennials' excess deaths. According to public health agencies, Millennial opioid overdose fatalities increased more than 500 percent between 1999 and 2017, while synthetic opioid death rates have risen by 6,000 percent. Overdose fatalities, in addition to increasing suicide, homicide, and accident rates, have added to the mortality crisis.Pandemic stressors amplified these issues. Loss of employment, financial instability, and social isolation led to increased instances of substance use disorders and depression among young adults, compounding mortality patterns already on an upward trend.Also Read: World Sexual Health Day 2025: Theme, Significance And What You Can Do To Make Sexual Wellness Everyday HealthObesity and Chronic DiseaseObesity is another key factor. Millennials between 30 and 39 have the highest rate of obesity of any age group in the U.S., at 46.4 percent. This severely raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. Although obesity is a problem across all age groups, it is most important during young adulthood, adding to mortality risks already increased by socio-economic and healthcare disparities.Economic Disillusionment and Future ProspectsMillennials have also confronted distinct economic and social challenges. Joining adulthood amid the Great Recession, many found themselves unable to achieve financial security, homeownership, or advancement in their careers. The pandemic only added to these challenges, resulting in increased financial insecurity among young adults with restricted health-promoting resource access.With social mobility on the decline and economic opportunity still in doubt, stress, worry, and unhealthy behaviors become amplified in a vicious cycle. Technological changes and AI-led changes in the workforce could further widen income inequality and access to care, making Millennials even more exposed.Policy Implications and the Need for InterventionThe glaring disparity in mortality underscores the imperative for policy action. Social safety nets including Medicaid, public health initiatives, and access to affordable care need to be improved to avert more fatalities. Investing in mental health care, treatment of addiction, and preventive care among young adults is the key to halting this ominous trend.As the Millennial and Gen Z populations approach half of the U.S. electorate, addressing their health and economic inequities is not only a moral imperative but also a political necessity. Policymakers must recognize that investing in the health and well-being of early adults is key to ensuring the country’s long-term social and economic stability.Is An Entire Generation at Risk?The American death crisis among Millennials and early Gen Z adults is multifaceted, multi-faceted, and seriously troubling. Between 1980 and 2023, there were nearly 14.7 million excess deaths in the United States, and early adults were disproportionately hit. From the opioid crisis to disease, economic insecurity, and systemic gaps in health care, the drivers of this crisis are complex and widespread.Without immediate action, these trends will persist, putting Millennials and Gen Z Americans at greater risk of death than comparable peers worldwide. An intervention addressing the underlying causes access to healthcare, financial stability, public health programs, and mental health care is necessary to get young Americans not just to survive but to thrive in a nation that has long neglected to safeguard them.