Avoidable deaths are on the rise in the United States, yet falling in many peer nations

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Avoidable Deaths on the Rise in the United States, Study Finds

When a person passes away, medical professionals often analyze the cause of death to determine if it could have been prevented through medical intervention such as vaccines or treatments like antibiotics. These types of deaths, known as avoidable mortalities, have been decreasing in most high-income countries worldwide. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the Brown University School of Public Health and Harvard University has revealed a troubling trend in the United States.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, compared mortality trends across U.S. states and 40 high-income countries. The findings showed that avoidable deaths in the U.S. have been steadily increasing for more than a decade, while other countries have seen improvements in reducing avoidable mortality, with the exception of the period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lead study author Irene Papanicolas, a professor at Brown’s School of Public Health, highlighted that the findings point to deep-seated issues within the American healthcare system and public policy that may be contributing to worsening health outcomes. Despite the U.S. spending more on healthcare per capita than any other country, the results indicate a concerning trajectory that sets the nation apart from its high-income counterparts.

The researchers compared mortality data from individual U.S. states to data from similar-scale countries in the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They found that avoidable mortality in the U.S. increased by an average of 32.5 deaths per 100,000 people, while EU countries saw a decrease of 25.2 deaths per 100,000 people and OECD countries a decrease of 22.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

The study revealed that nearly all major categories of avoidable deaths, including road traffic accidents, vaccine-preventable illnesses, and treatable conditions like sepsis, are on the rise in every U.S. state. While discussions often focus on preventable deaths such as drug-related incidents and suicides, the research showed an overall increase in avoidable mortality across different causes.

Papanicolas emphasized the need for U.S. policymakers to address this growing mortality gap and explore strategies to reverse the trend. Moving forward, the researchers plan to investigate what measures other countries are implementing successfully to reduce avoidable deaths, with the goal of identifying actionable solutions for the U.S.

The study, which builds on previous research by the team, underscores the urgency of addressing systemic factors contributing to the rise in avoidable deaths in the United States. As the nation grapples with these concerning trends, efforts to improve healthcare delivery, public health initiatives, and policy interventions will be crucial in reversing the disturbing trajectory of avoidable mortality in the country.