Life Expectancy Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels, But Young Adult Mortality Rates Are On the Rise
Studies show that people are now living approximately 20 years longer than they did in the mid-20th century. Death rates have generally been on the decline across all 204 regions included in the research. However, there are still significant disparities, and alarmingly, mortality rates among teenagers and young adults appear to be on the rise.
Life Expectancy and Leading Causes of Death
The average life expectancy for women was found to be 76.3 years, and for men, it was 71.5 years, which matches the figures prior to the pandemic. This comes after a significant dip during the peak of the pandemic. In a surprising turn of events, Covid-19 dropped from being the top cause of death in 2021 to the 20th leading cause of death in 2023. The top causes of death are now heart disease and stroke.
Shift in Cause of Deaths
Deaths globally have been moving away from infectious diseases, with a notable decrease in fatalities from measles, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis. Noncommunicable diseases now account for roughly two-thirds of deaths and disease burden worldwide. Although deaths from heart disease and stroke have reduced since 1990, rates have surged for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
The Changing Landscape of Global Health
The world is facing new health challenges due to an aging population and shifting risk factors. These disturbing trends require swift and strategic responses from governments and health care leaders. It is estimated that about half of the global disease burden could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors.
Top Risk Factors
High blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity are among the 10 most impactful risk factors. Between 2010 and 2023, there was an 11% increase in disease burden due to high body mass index, and a 6% increase due to high blood sugar. Environmental factors, such as pollution and lead exposure, and newborn health-related factors, such as low birthweight and short gestation, are also significant risk factors. Mental health is another major contributor, with anxiety and depression increasingly impacting global mortality rates.
Increased Mortality Rates Among the Young
While the global population continues to grow and age, some parts of the world are seeing an increase in death rates among children and young adults. The most significant increase in deaths among those aged 20 to 39 occurred in affluent North American regions, primarily due to suicide, drug overdose, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Death rates also rose among those aged 5 to 19 in Eastern Europe, affluent North American regions, the Caribbean, and among adolescents and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries.
For children aged 5 to 14, the leading risk was iron deficiency, followed by factors related to unsafe water, sanitation, hygiene, and malnutrition. For those aged 15 to 49, the top risks were unsafe sex and occupational injuries, followed by high BMI, high systolic blood pressure, and smoking.
Global Inequities in Life Expectancy
The life expectancy ranges significantly across the globe, with the highest being 83 years in affluent regions and the lowest being 62 years in sub-Saharan Africa. This research underscores the urgent need for policy makers to broaden health priorities, especially among adolescents and young adults.
Years of progress in closing the gap in low-income regions with persistent health inequities are at risk due to recent cuts in international aid. These regions rely heavily on global health funding for essential primary care, medicines, and vaccines. Without this funding, the gap is bound to increase.