California's young adult death rate remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic rates, and officials say most of the spike in deaths is due to drug overdoses.
California's Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) calls this an “alarming trend.” dropped report According to Tuesday's announcement, residents ages 15 to 44 will die at a rate of 128 per 100,000 in 2023, an increase of nearly 30 percent from 99 per 100,000 in 2019.
Fatal drug overdoses accounted for 60% of the recent spike, while alcohol-related deaths and motor vehicle accidents each accounted for 10%.
Deaths from gun violence, disease and other causes account for a smaller portion of the deaths recorded in that age group, LAO said.
While California “has long had lower mortality rates for 15- to 44-year-olds than the rest of the country,” the state's young adult mortality rate has declined less quickly than other states from its peak in 2021. No, the report explains. nation.
The report also stated that one of the “key contributing factors” to deaths among California youth and young adults is the “increasing presence of fentanyl.”
“Due to fentanyl's low cost, high potency, and widespread presence in the pharmaceutical market, people often use it with other drugs, either intentionally or unintentionally,” LAO researchers wrote. I discovered it. “As a result, many fentanyl overdose deaths also involve other drugs. One of the most common combinations is fentanyl and a psychostimulant, usually methamphetamine. is playing a large and growing role in the fentanyl overdose crisis.”
The LAO argues that the alarming death rate “requires the full attention of state leaders and researchers,” and that officials should look for opportunities to address the issue in “health care and public safety policies.” said.
