The lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic are still noticeably impacting American society.
For starters, there’s been a troubling rise in fatal drug overdoses among younger individuals. Even today, many young people and children continue to succumb to harmful substances, particularly synthetic fentanyl. On the financial front, the pandemic also left a significant mark, with inflation skyrocketing while interest rates hit all-time lows, prompting government stimulus measures to keep the economy steady. It’s hard to overlook—everyone’s aware of it, especially younger generations. There’s a shared sentiment that, really, everything feels way more expensive since 2020, whether it’s housing, groceries, or just the basics.
Socially, with months spent in lockdown, Americans have increasingly leaned on social media and screens for entertainment and connection. It’s been a bit overwhelming for some. Many have gone down a rabbit hole, becoming somewhat paranoid or conspiratorial. Joe Rogan once quipped, “We’ve lost so many to COVID-19, and yet most of them are still here.” It was meant as a joke, but honestly, it resonates more than it should.
These current issues seem to exacerbate a concerning trend: despite overall life expectancy rising across demographics, young people seem to be facing shorter lives. Researchers indicate a primary cause is what they label “deaths of despair.” (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, our free weekly newsletter on modern masculinity)
Death and Despair
A group of over 16,000 researchers, part of the Global Burden of Diet project, examined about 310 data sets. Their findings revealed that, over the past ten years, mortality rates for young individuals aged 20 to 39 in North America—especially the U.S. and Canada—have climbed. Specifically, deaths among those aged 30 to 39 surged by 50%. These tragic losses, classified as “deaths of despair,” stem from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcoholism.
Another analysis revealed that since 1980, the life expectancy at birth in the U.S. has largely matched that of other affluent, educated nations. While advancements in science and medicine have made improvements for many, progress in the U.S. hasn’t kept pace with other countries.
By around 2010, life expectancy growth in the U.S. stalled. The economy did rebound after a sharp downturn in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but even with a decrease in COVID-related deaths in 2022 and 2023, life expectancy still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic norms. While older generations continue to see their life expectancy improve, younger generations face stagnation. Mortality rates for young adults aged 15 to 49 haven’t changed much since 1980, contrasting sharply with the significant drops seen in similar demographics in other countries.
The opioid crisis, with rising drug overdoses, particularly due to fentanyl, has compounded this issue. Young people now face heightened levels of chronic stress, a situation that, although progressing slowly, is contributing to increased depression, declining health, and a higher likelihood of early death. Nonetheless, it’s not purely doom and gloom. There are elements from former President Trump’s second-term policies that might actually help counteract these troubling trends.
The Trump Effect
The Make America Healthy Again initiative, led by RFK Jr., is an integral part of this. In 2025, the Trump administration took steps to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes to enhance the quality of infant milk. Dietary guidelines are set to be revised between 2025 and 2030 to emphasize healthier options. Several states have enacted laws to limit synthetic dyes in food, ensuring that schools don’t serve ultra-processed items and tightening SNAP benefits used for junk food. Notably, numerous major food companies have also ceased the use of synthetic dyes.
In July, Trump signed the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act, which raised penalties for fentanyl trafficking and reclassified all fentanyl analogs as Schedule I substances. This classification empowers law enforcement, equipping them with stronger tools to address loopholes exploited by traffickers bringing in fentanyl variants.
The Trump administration has similarly targeted the “de minimis” trade loophole that allowed minimal inspections for shipments valued under $800, a route often used by traffickers. Despite the majority of fentanyl being smuggled across the southern border, the precursor chemicals predominantly originate in China, making their way through these minor importation channels. Data indicates that following a 2016 increase in the minimum threshold for duty-free imports, fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. surged by about 350%.
With widespread ICE raids and new border security measures, the Trump administration has declared an all-out offensive against drug cartels. Early in his second term, Trump officially designated cartels like Sinaloa and Torren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations, which, while contested by legal experts, aims to mobilize additional law enforcement resources against drug-related crimes.
On the Mexican side, there’s been an uptick in the fight against organized crime, with authorities recently seizing nearly $40 million in methamphetamine in Sinaloa, responding to pressure from Trump’s tariff threats. Facing a potential 25% tariff on exports to the U.S., Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to bolster border security to combat illegal trafficking.
The escalation of this conflict is being amplified by military operations against drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, likely with an eye on regime change in Venezuela. While the ultimate intention may be to topple the Maduro administration, weakening drug cartels and curbing the flow of fentanyl at the southern border could ultimately save lives and improve life expectancy figures among young Americans.
