US Shocking Study: 2 Million+ Americans "Missing" Due to Higher Death Rates

During COVID-19’s peak (2020-2021), the U.S. saw over 2 million excess deaths—far surpassing other wealthy nations. A new JAMA Health Forum study reveals:

🔍 Key Findings:

• 14.7M excess U.S. deaths since 1980—with a sharp spike post-2020.

• 1 in 2 deaths under age 65 may be preventable if the U.S. matched peer nations’ healthcare standards.

• Causes: COVID-19, drug overdoses, gun violence, and preventable diseases.

💬 "Our failure to address this is a national scandal."
— Epidemiologist Jacob Bor (Boston University)

📉 Behind the Crisis:
✔️ Weak safety nets vs. nations with universal healthcare.
✔️ Policy neglect exacerbating pre-pandemic gaps.
✔️ Younger lives lost: Heart disease, accidents, and overdoses dominate.

#PublicHealthCrisis #ExcessDeaths #HealthcareFailures #COVID19Impact #USvsWorld #PolicyMatters

Reference

Bor J, Raquib RV, Wrigley-Field E, Woolhandler S, Himmelstein DU, Stokes AC. Excess US Deaths Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Health Forum. 2025;6(5):e251118. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.1118