Global Life Expectancy Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels, But Youth Deaths Surge

Humans are now living nearly two decades longer than they were in 1950, says new research with all 204 countries and territories studied, reporting declines in their mortality rates since then. However, scientists say huge inequities remain, and there is an “emerging crisis” of rising death rates among adolescents and young adults. Life expectancy, in 2023, was 76.3 years for women and 71.5 years for men, says the analysis published in the journal The Lancet by the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) – returning to pre-pandemic levels after falling during the height of COVID-19. COVID-19 fell from the leading cause of death in 2021 to 20th place in 2023, with heart disease and stroke

rising to again become the leading causes of death globally. Across the world, deaths have been shifting away from infectious diseases even as there has been a sharp decline in deaths from measles, diarrhoea, and even tuberculosis, with noncommunicable diseases now accounting for about two-thirds of global mortality and morbidity. Scientists say even though death rates for cardiovascular issues like heart disease and stroke have gone down since the 90s, rates have spiked for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. “The rapid growth in the world’s aging population and evolving risk factors have ushered in a new era of global health challenges,” IHME Director Dr Christopher Murray said. “The evidence presented in the Global Burden of Disease study is a wake-up call, urging government and health care leaders to respond swiftly and strategically to the disturbing trends that are reshaping public health needs.”

More than half of the diseases are preventable

Research says more than half of the world’s disease burden is preventable – and attributable to dozens of modifiable risk factors. IHME found that conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, and obesity are among the 10 risk factors with the greatest effect. Between 2010 and 2023, there was an 11 per cent higher burden of disease due to high body mass index, and a 6 per cent increase due to high blood sugar. Environmental factors also contribute to these deaths, like pollution and lead exposure, making them the most significant risk factors - along with those related to newborn health, including low birthweight and short gestation. According to scientists, even mental health plays a significant role in global mortality, with a lot of burden from stress, anxiety, and depression surging.

Death rates among children and young adults increase

Even though the global population is growing, scientists have found that death rates among children and young adults have increased in many parts of the world. Among adolescents and young adults, the largest increase in deaths over the past decade or so was among those ages 20 to 39 in high-income North America, mainly due to suicide, drug overdose, and high quantities of alcohol, according to the IHME research. Deaths among those ages 5 to 19 also increased in Eastern Europe, high-income North America and the Caribbean, and among adolescents and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa, due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries. A health report has revealed that average life expectancy has returned to pre-pandemic levels after years of decline caused by COVID-19. However, the data also shows a worrying rise in deaths among teenagers and young adults. Experts attribute this increase to factors such as mental health issues, substance abuse, and accidents. Humans are now living nearly two decades longer than they were in 1950, says new research with all 204 countries and territories studied, reporting declines in their mortality rates since then. However, scientists say huge inequities remain, and there is an “emerging crisis” of rising death rates among adolescents and young adults. Life expectancy, in 2023, was 76.3 years for women and 71.5 years for men, says the analysis published in the journal The Lancet by the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) – returning to pre-pandemic levels after falling during the height of COVID-19. COVID-19 fell from the leading cause of death in 2021 to 20th place in 2023, with heart disease and stroke rising to again become the leading causes of death globally. Across the world, deaths have been shifting away from infectious diseases even as there has been a sharp decline in deaths from measles, diarrhoea, and even tuberculosis, with noncommunicable diseases now accounting for about two-thirds of global mortality and morbidity. Scientists say even though death rates for cardiovascular issues like heart disease and stroke have gone down since the 90s, rates have spiked for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. “The rapid growth in the world’s aging population and evolving risk factors have ushered in a new era of global health challenges,” IHME Director Dr Christopher Murray said. “The evidence presented in the Global Burden of Disease study is a wake-up call, urging government and health care leaders to respond swiftly and strategically to the disturbing trends that are reshaping public health needs.”

More than half of the diseases are preventable

Research says more than half of the world’s disease burden is preventable – and attributable to dozens of modifiable risk factors. IHME found that conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, and obesity are among the 10 risk factors with the greatest effect. Between 2010 and 2023, there was an 11 per cent higher burden of disease due to high body mass index, and a 6 per cent increase due to high blood sugar. Environmental factors also contribute to these deaths, like pollution and lead exposure, making them the most significant risk factors - along with those related to newborn health, including low birthweight and short gestation. According to scientists, even mental health plays a significant role in global mortality, with a lot of burden from stress, anxiety, and depression surging.

Death rates among children and young adults increase

Even though the global population is growing, scientists have found that death rates among children and young adults have increased in many parts of the world. Among adolescents and young adults, the largest increase in deaths over the past decade or so was among those ages 20 to 39 in high-income North America, mainly due to suicide, drug overdose, and high quantities of alcohol, according to the IHME research. Deaths among those ages 5 to 19 also increased in Eastern Europe, high-income North America and the Caribbean, and among adolescents and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa, due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries.