Have Deaths of Despair Risen during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review synthesized literature on potential impacts of protracted isolation and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic on deaths of despair (suicide, overdoses, and drug-related liver diseases). Five electronic databases were searched yielding 70 eligible articles. Extant evidence mostly from high-income countries indicates COVID-19-related disruption may not have influenced suicide rates so far, but there have been reports of increased drug-related and liver disease mortality. Minority groups and women were more vulnerable, indicating the need for stronger equity focus on pandemic recovery and resilience strategies. Further high-quality studies with longer-term follow-up, especially from low-income countries, will inform these strategies.

Socio-economic vulnerability and deaths of despair in Brazilian counties

“…Finally, we highlight that the most recent results in the literature suggest a potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on deaths due to despair, mainly due to suicide and overdose ( Rahimi-Ardabili et al, 2022 ). This relationship occurs due to prolonged isolation and worsening economic crises that were already present in some countries before the pandemic.…”

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

“…During the late 2010s, some high-income nations, including the USA, have had mortality spikes, particularly among the 15–39-years age group, which reflect mortality patterns associated with increased drug and alcohol misuse and mental health disorders. 43 , 44 The 15–39-years age group is particularly volatile globally, and is the age group most affected by fatal discontinuities such as conflict. 45 Sex differences in mortality vary widely across the globe.…”