A striking epidemiological shift has emerged over the past 30 years: youth deaths among those aged 5-24 now account for 31 percent of all under-25 mortality, up from just 21 percent in 1990. This substantial increase reflects a fundamental change in the global burden of disease, driven by dramatically improved survival rates in children under five years old.
The data, derived from vital registration systems, household surveys, and population censuses across 200 nations, reveals that the relative proportion of deaths shifting toward older youth reflects unequal progress across age groups. While younger children have benefited from widespread vaccination programs, improved nutrition, and access to basic healthcare, adolescents and young adults continue to face persistent health challenges with slower mortality reductions. This demographic transition highlights a critical gap in current public health strategies and suggests that resource allocation and intervention development must evolve to address the specific health needs of this growing proportion of at-risk youth.
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GMJ Brief · Key Finding
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