A recent study using CDC data has uncovered a worrying trend: a significant increase in deaths from neurological diseases among young adults aged 15-44 in the United States. The study, conducted by Phinance Technologies, highlights a sharp rise in deaths where neurological conditions were either the primary cause or a contributing factor, especially from 2020 onwards. It suggests a potential link between these fatalities and COVID-19 vaccinations, pointing to conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome. This revelation has sparked concerns about the broader impact of the pandemic and vaccination campaigns on neurological health, raising urgent questions about public health policies and the readiness of healthcare systems to address these issues.
A recent preprint study, based on vast data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), paints a troubling picture of the neurological health landscape in the US. The study, which focuses on people aged 15 to 44, finds a concerning increase in mortality from neurological illnesses, both as the primary cause and as one of several contributing causes.
This increase in mortality rates, which is especially pronounced among young individuals, could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s public health policies, particularly in light of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Perhaps most worrying, the study discovered an increase in neurological problems after COVID-19 immunizations, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
According to Phinance principal Ed Dowd, “the results show a clear break from the prior historical trend in death rates from neurological diseases.”
The Study: Methodology and Key Findings
Carlos Alegria and Yuri Nunes of Phinance Technologies conducted a thorough investigation into neurological disease-related mortality across all age groups from 2000 to 2023.
Their analysis distinguishes between deaths where neurological illnesses were the underlying cause (UC) and those where these diseases were indicated as one of several causes (MC) on death certificates, and compares mortality rates to a baseline to discover excess deaths.
Key findings from the study include:
- A notable rise in excess mortality from neurological diseases was reported as the underlying cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 44, with increases of 4.4% in 2020, 10.0% in 2021, 9.9% in 2022, and 8.1% in 2023.
- Excess deaths from neurological conditions as part of multiple causes tracked overall mortality rises and were significant even after removing deaths where COVID-19 was also reported.
According to Phinance: “The strength of the statistical significance of the excess deaths from neurological diseases was very high, being considered extreme events, indicating a clear change from the prior 2010-2019 trend.”
The junction of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in neurological illness fatalities adds levels of complexity to the research, including the possibility that numerous medical interventions and societal changes aggravated underlying neurological vulnerabilities.
- Notably, the study points to an increased risk of developing severe neurological conditions following COVID-19 vaccinations, with specific vaccines linked to higher risks of serious ailments such as the aforementioned Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Some cases of long-term COVID-19 have been associated with long-term neurological complications.
Perhaps more concerning is the influence on young people. Neurological disease-related deaths increased dramatically among those aged 15-44, who are often thought to be in their prime. This raises severe concerns about potential environmental, biological, or social variables that disproportionately harm young people.
The authors conclude:
How can we explain the excess UC deaths from neurological diseases in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023? In 2020, this could be explained by deaths from health effects related to the pandemic management measures such as lockdowns and lack of medical care, or other related factors such as stress, less exercise, worse food habits, or under-diagnosed COVID-19 itself, or related side effects. The acceleration in excess death rates from neurological diseases in 2021, 2022 and 2023 is more difficult to explain due to COVID-19 on its own. Given the case studies of neurological adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination cited in the literature, one possible factor could be adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, one must also account for the possibility of continuous COVID-19 infections or Long COVID…
Implications for Public Health
The implications of these findings go far beyond the immediate health of the young adult population, raising serious concerns about the US healthcare system’s readiness to handle a potential influx of neurological health needs, as well as the potential need for sweeping changes in public health policy.
- There is a clear call for focused research to unravel the factors driving this surge in neurological deaths.
- Public health strategies may need to pivot towards enhancing neurological health services and preventive care, particularly for younger populations.
- Understanding the full impact of COVID-19 on long-term health outcomes will be crucial in shaping future healthcare initiatives.
The study highlights concerns and considerations – given the social consequences of waves of possible neurological disease and a severely underprepared healthcare system, health priorities in the future decades must be assessed and addressed.
Recently, GreatGameIndia reported that according to a new study published in The Lancet’s eBioMedicine, COVID-19 vaccines resulted in an increase in a rare autoimmune disease in 2021.