A landmark global health study has warned of an “emerging crisis” in adolescent mortality, with rising death rates among teenagers despite decades of overall progress in global life expectancy.
Comprehensive Global Analysis
The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, published in The Lancet in October 2025, is the most extensive health analysis of its kind. It tracked 375 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, providing a detailed picture of mortality and morbidity trends by age and sex.
The findings show that while global life expectancy has risen by more than 20 years since 1950 and overall mortality rates have declined by 67%, adolescents and young adults are experiencing worrying increases in death rates in several regions.
Regional Disparities
The study highlights stark regional differences:
- In North America and Latin America, rising deaths among teenagers are linked to suicide, drug use, and alcohol-related causes.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent mortality remains high due to infectious diseases, malnutrition, and unintentional injuries.
- Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes now account for nearly two-thirds of total mortality, reshaping the global health landscape.
Mental Health and Risk Behaviours
Researchers warn that mental health disorders, substance misuse, and self-harm are becoming leading contributors to adolescent mortality in high- and middle-income countries. These trends contrast with the significant progress made in reducing child mortality and infectious disease deaths worldwide.
Expert Concerns
Health experts stress that the findings represent a critical warning sign. While medical advances and public health interventions have extended life expectancy, the failure to address adolescent health risks could undermine these gains. The study calls for targeted interventions, including expanded mental health services, stronger prevention of substance abuse, and improved access to healthcare for young people.
Outlook
The GBD study underscores the dual reality of global health: unprecedented progress in reducing mortality overall, but a growing crisis among teenagers and young adults. Without urgent action, researchers caution, the world risks a “lost generation” facing preventable deaths at a time when global health should be advancing.
Sources: The Lancet – Global Burden of Disease Study 2025; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME); The Independent (13 Oct 2025).
