Rising Deaths due to Malnutrition and Growing Disparities in the U.S. A 24-Year Trend Analysis From 1999 and 2023

Malnutrition is an acutely growing public health concern in the U.S., with over 20% predicted to be malnourished by the year 2030. This study aims to analyze disparities in malnutrition-related mortalities in the United States from 1999 to 2023. A descriptive study using data from the CDC WONDER database was conducted to examine trends and disparities in malnutrition-related deaths in adults aged 55–85 years and older. The study classified deaths by age, gender, race, place of death, and urban–rural classification. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and crude mortality rates per 100,000 population were estimated, and Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to identify annual percent changes (APCs) and average annual percent changes (AAPCs). From 1999 to 2023, 158,117 deaths due to malnutrition were recorded among individuals aged 55 and above. Initial trends showed a decline with an APC of −8.38% from 1999 to 2006, followed by a significant rise from 2013 to 2021 with an APC of 22.51%. The oldest age group showed the highest annual rise of 5.74%. Gender-specific trends revealed a steep rise in malnutrition-related deaths for both males and females from 2013 to 2023. Racial disparities showed significant increases in mortality rates among White individuals, with an AAPC of 5.91%. The study reveals a significant resurgence of malnutrition-related mortality among older adults in the U.S. after years of decline, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions. Geographical, gender-specific, and racial disparities suggest systemic healthcare issues that require gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate nutritional screening and management strategies.