More Americans, Especially Black Adults, Dying Before They Qualify For Medicare

Key Takeaways

More people are dying before they qualify for Medicare

Premature deaths younger than 64 increased 27% during the past decade

Black American fared worse, with a 38% increase in premature deaths

MONDAY, Nov. 10, 2025 (HealthDay News) — People pay into Medicare throughout their lifetime — a cut taken from every paycheck with the expectation that it will lead to affordable health care in their old age.

But a growing number of people — especially Black Americans — are dying before they turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, according to a new study.

Premature deaths among adults younger than 64 increased by 27% between 2012 and 2022, meaning these people paid into a system they never got to use, researchers reported Nov. 7 in JAMA Health Forum .

It’s even worse for Bl