A global study has revealed an ‘emerging crisis’ of higher death ratesin adolescents and young adults. This was because of suicide, drug overdose and high alcohol intake in North America and Latin America, and due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries in sub-Saharan Africa. Mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, are also surging globally.
The latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study also found that noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, account for nearly two thirds of the world’s total mortality and morbidity.
Yet half of the world’s disease burden is preventable, the researchers found, driven by 88 modifiable risks. These include high blood pressure, air pollution, smoking and obesity.
A more positive finding was that, as of 2023, global life expectancy was more than 20 years higher than in 1950, with all 204 countries and territories reporting declines in death rates.
A network of 16,500 scientists and researchers collected and analysed the data, using more than 300,000 data sources.
Joint senior author Dr Christopher Murray said: ‘The evidence presented in the GBD study is a wake-up call, urging government and healthcare leaders to respond swiftly and strategically to the disturbing trends that are reshaping public health needs.’
Study The Lancet
Image | ISTOCK
