In a troubling trend, mortality rates among young adults in Eastern Europe have surged over the past decade, contrasting sharply with the overall decline in global death rates. Factors contributing to this increase include drug use, suicide, and the impact of conflict, alongside natural disasters such as earthquakes and climate-related events.
Key findings from the Global Burden of Disease report
The recent Global Burden of Disease report, released on Sunday in The Lancet and presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, examined data from over 200 countries and territories to identify the primary causes of illness and mortality from 1990 to 2023. Notably, between 2000 and 2023, Eastern Europe experienced a significant escalation in deaths among younger adults, attributable to HIV, self-harm, and violence. Central Europe has also seen a sharp rise in mortality linked to mental health disorders and eating disorders among teenagers.
This alarming increase mirrors a broader global trend, with mental health issues on the rise worldwide. Notably, anxiety rates have increased by 63 percent, while depression rates have climbed by 26 percent.
“The rise of depression and anxiety is very concerning,”
stated Chris Murray, coauthor of the report and director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. He emphasized the necessity of understanding the underlying causes of this troubling trend.
A closer look at mortality trends
While the report highlights some positive global health trends, such as a 67 percent decrease in mortality rates since 1950 and an increase in global life expectancy of over 20 years, it also flags an