More young Americans are dying, and it’s not from COVID-19. 🤒 This alarming trend has raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the underlying causes. While the pandemic undoubtedly played a role, it seems that a constellation of factors is at play, exacerbating this disturbing phenomenon. 🚩
A Cry for Answers 🔍
The subtitle of the USA Today article poignantly captures the urgency of the situation: “Without a thorough and collaborative exploration, we can’t know what’s killing us or how to stop it.” 💯 Many of us have been questioning the unprecedented surge in excess deaths, wondering why so many people are dying from seemingly unknown causes.
The article delves into the grim statistics: “Life insurance actuaries are reporting that many more people are dying still than in years before the pandemic. And while deaths during COVID-19 had largely occurred among the old, this new wave is hitting prime-of-life people hard.” 💀 Chillingly, it notes that “no one knows precisely what is driving this phenomenon, but there is an inexplicable lack of urgency to find out.” 🤷♂️
Echoing the collective concern, the authors assert, “A concerted investigation is in order.” 🕵️♀️ The data speaks volumes: “Deaths among young Americans documented in employee life insurance claims should alone set off alarms. Among working people between the ages of 35 to 44 years old, a stunning 34% more died than expected in the last quarter of 2022, with above-average rates in other working age groups, too.” 📈
The Puzzling Disparity 🧐
One particularly perplexing aspect of this crisis is the disparity between white-collar and blue-collar workers. The article notes, “From 2020 through 2022, there were more excess deaths proportionally among white-collar than blue-collar workers, 19% for the white-collar workers versus just 14% for the blue-collar workers above normal.” 👨💻 🏭
Delving deeper, it reveals, “The disparity nearly doubled among top echelon workers in the fourth quarter of 2022, U.S. Actuaries reported.” 💰 This begs the question: what were the differences in the COVID-19 response for these two groups? 🤔
The article speculates, “Okay, so high-income people that had the luxury of staying home and ordering junk food off Uber Eats and doing all of the science-based strategies to prevent exposure to the pathogen, it turns out they died at higher rates compared to lower-collar blue workers who have probably had natural immunity from COVID-19, got it early on, kept living their normal lives, having social connections, going out and exercising, seeing nature, all of the things.” 🍔 🚶♀️ 🌲
The Fall of 2021: A Pivotal Moment 📆
One particular statistic stands out like a flashing neon sign: “And there was an extreme and sudden increase in worker mortality in the fall of 2021.” 💥 The article wryly notes, “Hmm, was there a climate change in the fall of 2021 that I was unaware of or that I forgot about, like a tsunami? Nope, I don’t remember anything. Oh, there was something in the fall of 2021. I’ll let you use your imagination about what that one thing was.” 🤫
The data is staggering: “Even as the nation saw a precipitous drop in COVID-19-related deaths in the fall of 2021 from a previous wave, in the third quarter of 2021, deaths among workers aged between 35 and 44 reached a pandemic peak of 101% or double the three-year pre-COVID baseline. In the two primary working age groups, mortality was 79% above expected.” 📈💀
A Global Phenomenon 🌍
Lest one thinks this is an isolated issue, the article reminds us that “The United Kingdom also saw more excess deaths in the second half of 2022, more than any other year since 2010.” 🇬🇧 Clearly, something is happening on a global scale, and the actuaries are taking notice. 👀
The article raises a poignant question: “When will the average person start questioning things?” 🤷♂️ It commends the mainstream media outlets like USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and NPR for broaching this subject, but laments that “only a few people have been allowed to ask questions about this.” 🔇
A Multifaceted Puzzle 🧩
The author acknowledges that this crisis is likely “multifactorial,” citing factors such as unhealthy lifestyles during the pandemic (weight gain, lack of exercise, increased alcohol and tobacco use, and more), social isolation, and the impact of “novel treatments.” 💉 The article emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, sharing research and anecdotes, and employing risk stratification when considering various treatments and modalities. 📚
Ultimately, the author reminds us of a key tenet in public health policy: “maximizing the total quality adjusted life years of the population.” 🏥 Lockdowns, forced inactivity, and closures of parks and recreational spaces may have had unintended consequences, reducing the overall quality of life for many. The article advocates for a balanced approach, protecting the vulnerable while promoting healthy, active lifestyles for the young. 🏃♂️ 🌳
As the world grapples with this alarming trend, one thing is clear: we must remain vigilant, ask tough questions, and work collaboratively to unravel the mysteries behind these excess deaths. 🔍 Only then can we hope to stem the tide and restore the vibrancy of our communities. 💪
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