Change in YPLL Rate from 2013 -> 2019 -> 2021

This chart shows the key causes of the increased rate of years of potential life lost (YPLL) across the Finger Lakes region. Between 2013 and 2021 the rise in YPLL rate was driven largely by drug overdose and COVID-19. From 2013 to 2019, 57% of the increase in premature mortality was due to an increase in the rate of premature mortality from drug overdose. From 2019 to 2021, 45% was from COVID-19 with another 20% from a further rise in YPLL rate from drug overdose. Along with these causes, increases in the premature mortality rates due to suicide and homicide were major contributors to increased YPLL rate. 

Methodology note: Years of potential life lost (YPLL) is a widely used measure to assess the rate of premature mortality. YPLL places a larger weight on the deaths of younger people, in contrast with overall mortality statistics which are dominated by deaths of the elderly. The YPLL rates in Common Ground Health analyses are derived using 75 years as the baseline. A death at age 65 has YPLL of 10, where as a death at age 35 has a YPLL of 40. The rates are calculated per 100,000 population and are age-sex adjusted to account for differences in population distribution.