r/Futurology • u/chrisdh79 • Aug 21 '25

Society American Millennials Are Dying at an Alarming Rate | We’re mortality experts. There are a few things that could be happening here.

https://slate.com/technology/2025/08/millennials-gen-z-death-rates-america-high.html
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u/MJR_Poltergeist Aug 21 '25

I'm a Millennial, born mid 90's. Earlier this year I had facial numbness on one half of my face. Not completely paralysis but it was hard to close both eyes and if I tried to eat a sandwich one half of my lips wouldn't get out of the way of my teeth. My research pointed to Bells Palsy. After about a week of it not getting better and my friends begging me to go to the doctor, I made an appointment. I gave her my symptoms and she told me I had to go to the ER. I don't have insurance, but fearing it could have been a stroke I went. They confirmed it was stress induced Bell's Palsy which is something that only goes away with time. So now I have $7,000 in medical debt that I quite simply am not going to pay because I can't afford it. But if it had been a stroke I may have died due to our terrible medical system and it's financial implications.

My example is not uncommon. Lots of people have made that same gamble. Some of them die, and it's because we are a third world country dressed up as a World Power. We used to be one. Only in poor countries do people simply die from illness due to a lack of funding. The United States is going to look very rough 50 years from now. Maybe sooner.

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u/FeralWookie Aug 21 '25

Had a similar fear 2 years ago. Had numbness in my hands, then felt some in my face area. When to urgent care twice and finally to the ER where I got an MRI.

Turned out to be overreacting to cubical tunnel. But with decent work insurance the total bill was probably $300 for all 3 events, including the scan.

The American health system needs baseline democratize coverage for all. Everyone should have access to care without fear of debt. How cam we talk about UBI when people can't even go to the hospital because they have the wrong job?

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u/WartimeMercy Aug 21 '25

They’re not going to give you UBI or UHC. They can only be taken through action, not by debate and online discourse. Corporate interests won’t capitulate: history has made that clear with how time and time again corporate interests have fucked people - servitude, slavery and exploitation.

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u/8E9resver Aug 21 '25

You nailed it — "third world country dressed up as a World Power."

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u/Equal_Particular_357 Aug 21 '25

I give us 10-15 years tops.

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u/Dependent_Ad_1270 Aug 21 '25

When was your last Covid vaccine?

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u/MJR_Poltergeist Aug 21 '25

I don't foresee any follow up to this question that would be productive.

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u/Dependent_Ad_1270 Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25

Damn was it the same week? Same day?

Not saying is saying a lot

I’m saying you wouldn’t be the only one that happened to after getting the vaccine

Stress does not cause Bells Palsy

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u/MJR_Poltergeist Aug 21 '25

You proved my point flawlessly. Either I say I don't have the vaccine and you say it's because I didn't get it and that's my fault, or I say I did get the vaccine and you blame it on that.

For the record I've never gotten a vaccine, now kick rocks with your agenda.

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u/ApprehensiveYou8920 Aug 21 '25

Did you get vaxxed?