Global skin cancer burden and United States mortality trends in younger adults (Aged 20-44 Years): An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 and CDC WONDER Databases
In brief
Melanoma deaths in US young adults fell by half over 24 years
Using CDC vital records, melanoma mortality among Americans aged 25-44 dropped from 0.99 to 0.47 deaths per 100,000 between 1999 and 2023, an average yearly decline of about 3.6%. Meanwhile, global non-melanoma skin cancer cases more than doubled, highlighting a rising burden in young adults that still needs focused prevention and early detection.
- Journal
- JID innovations : skin science from molecules to population health (Q1)
- Published
- 4 June 2026
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Zhiqiang Ma, Pingyu An, Shidi Wu, Remco van Doorn, Maarten H Vermeer, Abdoelwaheb El Ghalbzouri
- PMID
- 42502795
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.xjidi.2026.100498
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Hematology (paper of the day, 27 July 2026).
Abstract
Skin cancer is a growing public health concern, yet patterns in younger adults remain inadequately described. We quantified the global incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years, and age-standardized rates of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in adults aged 20-44 years using Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates and assessed United States melanoma mortality in those aged 25-44 years from 1999 to 2023 using national vital statistics. From 1990 to 2021, age-standardized melanoma incidence declined, whereas nonmelanoma skin cancer cases rose from 142,018 to 292,052, with an increasing age-standardized incidence of basal cell carcinoma. The burden was greatest in countries with higher sociodemographic development and peaked at ages 40-44 years; women experienced a higher incidence, but men had higher mortality. In the United States, melanoma mortality decreased from 0.99 to 0.47 deaths per 100,000 between 1999 and 2023, representing an average annual reduction of 3.56%. Projections suggest continued declines in melanoma but sustained increases in nonmelanoma skin cancer. These findings indicate a growing and uneven skin cancer burden in young adults, supporting targeted prevention and earlier detection.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.