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A new report published by The Lancet on October 14, 2024, outlines a bold, achievable vision for reducing premature mortality by half in countries that choose to prioritize health investments. Since 1970, 37 nations have already reached this milestone, cutting the probability of citizens dying before age 70 by half. However, the report, produced by the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health, argues that this goal is within reach for all countries, regardless of income level or challenges such as war and poverty.
The commission’s goal, called “50 by 50,” envisions every country cutting its premature mortality by half by 2050. This can be accomplished through strategic health investments in prevention, treatment, and research, says the report. These interventions include expanding childhood immunizations, providing low-cost treatments for preventable conditions, and developing new health technologies through increased funding.
“Today, the case is better than ever for going for mortality reduction,” says Dr. Gavin Yamey, director of the Duke University Center for Policy Impact in Global Health (CPIGH) and lead author of the report. “It’s a prize within reach. It will have extraordinary health, welfare, and economic benefits. Reaching ’50 by 50′ would reduce mortality and morbidity, help grow economies, and alleviate poverty.”
Addressing the Leading Causes of Premature Death
The report, titled Global Health 2050, was launched at the World Health Summit in Berlin and highlights 15 health conditions that account for the majority of premature deaths. These include infectious diseases like tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and non-communicable conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Other significant contributors include accidents and suicides.
While advances in healthcare have contributed to increased life expectancy in many countries, millions of people still lack access to essential preventive and treatment services. The report underscores the need for countries to subsidize the costs of essential medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics to address these conditions. It also stresses the importance of financing research to develop new health technologies.
If the “50 by 50” goal is achieved globally, a person born in 2050 would have only a 15% chance of dying before the age of 70, compared to 31% for someone born in 2019. Seven of the world’s most populous nations, including Bangladesh, China, and Iran, are already on track to reach this goal.
Economic Benefits and Health Financing Strategies
The report details specific health policies and financing strategies to help even the poorest countries adopt cost-effective approaches to reducing mortality. These include public subsidies for essential health services, and the introduction of taxes on harmful products like tobacco, unhealthy foods, and fossil fuels. Such taxes would not only reduce deaths from conditions like smoking-related illnesses but also generate revenue for reinvestment in healthcare systems.
“Tobacco taxation may be the single most important health policy in the report,” notes Yamey, citing smoking as one of the leading causes of preventable mortality. With over 8 million tobacco-related deaths annually worldwide, higher taxes on tobacco could lead to immediate health benefits, especially for poorer populations who are more price-sensitive.
“Early mortality is devastating for families, communities, economies, and nations,” Yamey adds. “By focusing on reducing preventable deaths, countries can create healthier, more productive societies.”
A Call to Action for Global Health
The Global Health 2050 report is the third in a series from the Lancet Commission, which was first established in 2013. The commission’s work builds on the World Bank’s 1993 report Investing in Health, which demonstrated that targeted spending on high-burden diseases could improve health outcomes and stimulate economic growth.
As countries worldwide continue to face diverse health challenges, the Global Health 2050 report offers a roadmap for action. By prioritizing health investments and scaling up research, the goal of halving premature deaths by 2050 is not only possible but necessary for building a healthier, more equitable world.
More information: Global Health 2050, The Lancet (2024).
Journal reference: The Lancet
