Burden of Early Mortality Attributable to Hodgkin Lymphoma in Young Adults: A United States Study Based on CDC WONDER Data (2018–2023)

Introduction Hodgkin lymphoma is a malignant lymphoid neoplasm with a recognized predilection for adolescents and young adults. Although overall mortality is relatively low, deaths occurring in younger populations contribute substantially to years of life lost. Aim This study aimed to describe temporal trends and demographic patterns in mortality due to Hodgkin lymphoma among young adults aged 15-44 years in the United States between 2018 and 2023 using CDC WONDER (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) data. Methods A retrospective population-based study was conducted using mortality data from the CDC WONDER database. Deaths between 2018 and 2023 with Hodgkin lymphoma as the underlying cause (ICD-10 code C81) were included. Analyses were restricted to individuals aged 15-44 years. Mortality counts, percentages, and crude mortality rates per 1,000,000 population were calculated and stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results From 2018 to 2023, Hodgkin lymphoma accounted for 6,072 deaths across all age groups, of which 682 deaths (11.2%) occurred among individuals aged 15-44 years. Crude mortality rates in this population ranged from 0.8 to 0.9 per 1,000,000 over the study period, demonstrating relative stability. Mortality burden was highest among individuals aged 35-44 years, males, and non-Hispanic or Latino populations, indicating consistent demographic disparities. Conclusions Mortality due to Hodgkin lymphoma among young adults represents a measurable public health burden with persistent demographic disparities. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis, equitable access to care, and targeted public health strategies to reduce premature mortality in this population.