In a staggering revelation, doctors are raising the alarm over 1.5 million Americans who have mysteriously perished following the Covid-19 pandemic, pointing to a 'silent epidemic' sweeping across the United States.

A study conducted by Boston University has drawn comparisons between the fatality rates in the US and 21 other developed countries, including the UK and Australia, for the years 2022 and 2023. The findings are stark: after controlling for population differences, the US recorded an additional 820,000 deaths in 2022 alone compared to peer nations.

The situation grew even more dire in 2023, with a record 705,000 excess deaths. Both years witnessed a nearly 30% increase in fatalities compared to pre-pandemic figures, where only 631,000 excess deaths were noted in 2019.

These 'excess deaths'—defined as fatalities beyond what is typically expected—soared during the pandemic due to a combination of direct virus fatalities, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and economic pressures. Alarmingly, this elevated death rate continues even after the pandemic's acute phase has passed.

Researchers attribute this ongoing crisis to a mix of drug overdoses, gun violence, traffic accidents, and chronic diseases such as heart failure and diabetes, all of which disproportionately impact Americans compared to their counterparts in other developed nations. A glaring factor mentioned was the US's lack of a robust social safety net, a feature more common in Europe, which exacerbates the situation.

Dr. Jacob Bor, the lead epidemiologist on this research, remarked, 'The US has been wrestling with a prolonged health crisis for decades, with outcomes lagging behind other high-income countries. This tragedy continues to unfold in the shadows of the Covid pandemic.'

Published in the JAMA Health Forum, the study meticulously analyzed mortality data from the Human Mortality Database, covering a staggering 107 million deaths in the US and 230 million in the 21 peer nations between 1980 and 2023.

Over this period, approximately 14.7 million excess deaths were documented in the US, with a dramatic rise observed during the pandemic. The latest data indicates that nearly 23% of all US deaths in 2023 were excess deaths.

Dr. Andrew Stokes, a senior author and global health expert, emphasized that these deaths are not merely individual tragedies but rather the result of significant policy neglect and deep-rooted failings in the health system. He stressed, 'The Covid pandemic has exposed structural weaknesses—including gaps in healthcare access and social supports—that continue to drive premature deaths even now.'

Dr. Stokes concluded with a poignant reminder of the successes seen in other nations, emphasizing that investment in universal healthcare and strong safety nets leads to longer, healthier lives. However, he warned, 'The US faces unique hurdles; public distrust and increasing political polarization hinder the implementation of effective policies that have thrived elsewhere.'

In light of this alarming data, it is imperative for America to confront these systemic challenges and prioritize the health and wellbeing of its citizens, lest the silent epidemic continue to claim lives.