CDC reports increase in homicides and suicides among young Americans during pandemic.

Alarming Rise in Homicides and Suicides Among Young Americans During COVID-19 Pandemic

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that homicides and suicides among young Americans have reached their highest levels in decades during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study, which analyzed data from 2001 to 2021, focused on the homicide and suicide death rates among individuals aged 10-24. The findings are concerning.

From 2019 to 2020, the homicide rate for the overall age group spiked 37 percent, rising from 7.8 per 100,000 people to 10.7. Among teens aged 15-19, the increase was even greater, jumping from 8.9 per 100,000 to 12.3. In 2021, the rate rose again among older teens to 12.8—the highest rate since 1997, according to CDC data.

Year-over-year, 2020 marked the largest annual increase in homicide rates across all age groups.

While the homicide rate fluctuated over the 20-year span, the suicide data showed a general upward trend after 2007.

From 2007 to 2021, the suicide rate among those aged 10-24 increased by 62 percent, rising from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 to 11. However, the point at which these rates began to steadily increase varied across different age groups.

In 2021, the suicide rates exceeded the homicide rates among the 10-14 and 20-24 age groups.

The CDC researchers noted that in 2021, suicide and homicide were the second and third leading causes of death, respectively, for people aged 10-24.

Mental Health Crisis

Dr. Steven Woolf, a researcher from Virginia Commonwealth University, who was not involved in the CDC study, emphasizes that the increase in homicide and suicide rates reflects a mental health crisis among young people and calls for policy changes.

Earlier this year, Woolf expressed concern over the “disturbing” increase in death rates among U.S. children and teenagers, which he attributed in part to the rise in homicide and suicide rates.

According to Woolf, the COVID-19 lockdowns and resulting isolation could be contributing factors to the climbing suicide and homicide rates. He stresses the importance of addressing depression openly and identifying those who need help early on.

Academic Decline

Reports also indicate that the pandemic may have negatively impacted young Americans academically.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals that average U.S. history and civics scores dropped among eighth graders between 2018 and 2022. Similarly, average math and reading scores among fourth and eighth graders saw their largest-ever decline.