Why are people in the United States dying younger?

Life expectancy in the United States is just over 78 years. While that number has rebounded since 2021, when it dropped to 76.4 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, it lags behind that of many other nations. In places like Australia, South Korea, and Italy, life expectancy ranges from 83 to 84 years old.

Why do people in the U.S. have shorter lives? Here are several potential reasons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2003, about 26,000 people in the U.S. died of a drug overdose. In 2023, that number rose to more than 105,000 people. Overdose death rates are highest for people between ages 35 and 44.

The vast majority of overdose deaths involve opioids, a class of drugs that includes heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid sometimes prescribed for pain relief. Deaths involving cocaine and/or methamphetamine have also risen sharply in recent years.

If you are struggling with opioid addiction, organizations like Narcotics Anonymous and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) national helpline (800-662-4357) can provide support, education, and encouragement to help you through withdrawal and to help prevent relapse.

Each year, more than 35,000 people in the U.S. die as a result of a transportation accident involving a boat, airplane, bicycle, or motor vehicle. Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 are most likely to be in a fatal motor vehicle accident (MVA), though those between 45 and 64 are not far behind.

To protect yourself and others when you’re on the road:

• Always wear a seatbelt, no matter the distance you’re traveling. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is, too.
• Pay attention to the speed limit and traffic signs in the area.
• Never drink and drive.
• Avoid driving if you’re sleep deprived.
• Avoid distracted driving. Stay off your phone, especially.
• Use extra caution when driving in the evening or in inclement weather.

Most people involved in MVAs are drivers or passengers. But about 1 in 5 are pedestrians who are struck by a car, SUV, or truck, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As trucks and SUVs grow larger, it’s especially important to be aware of your vehicle’s blind spots. They can make it harder to see pedestrians and other approaching vehicles.

Regularly drinking too much can severely harm the body in several different ways and may eventually lead to death. Liver disease, often caused by excess alcohol use, kills thousands of younger adults each year.

Alcohol overuse can also:

• Break down muscle tissue
• Impair nerves
• Erode stomach lining
• Weaken immunity
• Enflame the pancreas
• Damage your heart and circulatory system

If you or someone you love has a drinking issue, speak with a healthcare provider (HCP). They can evaluate the problem, create a treatment plan, prescribe medication, and refer you to specialists or a program.

Year in and year out, heart disease is by far the top cause of death in the U.S. And while older adults are much more likely to die of heart issues such as heart attack and stroke, it’s a significant problem among younger adults. In 2023, about 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease occurred in people younger than age 65, according to the CDC.

Easy access to convenience foods rich in saturated fat and simple carbohydrates is a big factor. Excessive sitting—whether at work, home, or school—combined with a general lack of physical activity among Americans of all ages, including young adults, also plays a role. Other factors may include high stress levels, social isolation, and the widespread use of tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.

If you don’t already have a regular schedule of checkups with an HCP, make an appointment today. Checking in on a routine basis can help you make healthy tweaks to your lifestyle—and catch small problems before they turn into big ones.

In 2003, the U.S. suicide rate was 10.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Twenty years later, in 2023, it had risen to 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people, representing a 31 percent increase. Men remain much more likely to complete a suicide than women, accounting for 4 in 5 deaths. For men—especially men ages 54 and younger—it’s consistently ranks among the top 10 causes of death.

Researchers can only make educated guesses about the reasons for these trends. For younger people, lack of access to mental health resources and financial hardship play significant roles.

Help is available. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text, or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you know someone who is considering suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, and stay with them until they receive the help they need.

Cancer is a top killer of people ages 45 to 54, according to the CDC. Cancers of the lung, breast, and colon and rectum are among the major contributors.

Rates of colorectal cancer among younger people are increasing. About 1 in 5 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and/or rectum) in 2019 were ages 54 or younger, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In 1995, it was about 1 in 10.

For this reason, both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and ACS recommend that people at an average risk should begin regular screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. (Both groups previously recommended that screening begin at 50.) You’ll likely be advised to get your first screening test earlier than that if you’re at high risk: if you have a strong family history, for example, or if you are Black.

Experts aren’t exactly sure why colorectal cancer is on the rise among young and middle-aged adults, but many cancers can be traced to certain lifestyle factors. Diets high in animal fats and low in fiber can increase risk, as can a lack of regular physical activity. Quitting smoking and exercising regularly are proven ways to lower your risk.

If you’re 45 or older and haven’t been screened yet, make an appointment with an HCP to talk about the colorectal cancer screening test that makes the most sense for you.

After declining for many years, the U.S. homicide rate began trending upward again in the mid-2010s; it’s currently higher than that of dozens of other developed nations. Each year, it’s consistently a top-five cause of death for people ages 44 and younger. More than three-quarters of U.S. homicides involve firearms.

The factors contributing to the homicide rate are numerous and complex. If you’re concerned about area violence, reach out to your local government for information about getting involved in your community. Mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America can also help you make a difference via one-on-one connections.