According to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, the world faces a crisis marked by rising mortality rates among adolescents and young adults. The research, conducted by a network of 16,500 scientists using over 300,000 data sources and published in The Lancet, indicates that despite a global increase in life expectancy, disparities remain stark.
While overall mortality rates decreased across 204 countries and territories in 2023 data, and global life expectancy (76.3 years for women, 71.5 years for men) has rebounded from the drop caused by COVID-19, researchers express particular concern about the high and increasing rates among adolescents and young people.
The driving forces behind the increased mortality differ by region:
- North America and parts of Latin America: The increase is linked to suicide, drug use, and alcohol consumption. Researchers attribute this rise to increasing rates of anxiety and depression among young people.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Mortality among children aged 5 to 14 is higher than previously estimated, according to the latest modeling, driven by infectious diseases. Mortality among girls and women aged 15 to 29 is significantly high, primarily due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, injuries, and meningitis.
The study found that two-thirds of the global burden of illness is now due to chronic diseases (such as heart disease and diabetes), while the prevalence of mental health problems is critically rising.
Scientists estimate that half of the world’s disease burden is preventable, caused by modifiable risk factors including high blood pressure, air pollution, smoking, and obesity.
Researchers view the GBD study results as an “alarm signal” for governments and the healthcare sector.
African experts, in particular, emphasize that failing health systems and vaccine shortages contribute to the spread of diseases such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Simultaneously, the exponential rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among young people demands an urgent response.
The study authors warn the world that recent cuts in international aid put the progress achieved in low-income regions at risk.
