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New York, March 13, 2024 : A groundbreaking study published yesterday in The Lancet has revealed a shocking decline in global life expectancy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study conducted by the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 Collaborators, global life expectancy at birth fell by 1.6 years from 2019 to 2021, marking a stark reversal of decades of progress in global health.
The study, which analyzed trends in death rates and life expectancy in 204 countries and territories, highlighted the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global mortality. Of the 131 million total deaths recorded in 2020 and 2021, an estimated 16 million were directly or indirectly attributed to COVID-19 infection or pandemic-related factors such as disruptions in healthcare services.
“While global life expectancy had been steadily increasing for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and unprecedented impact on global health,” said co-first author Austin Schumacher, PhD, of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
The study revealed that age-standardized death rates decreased by 62.8% from 1950 to 2019 but rose by 5.1% in 2020-2021, underscoring the toll of the pandemic on mortality rates worldwide. Despite ongoing progress in reducing child mortality, stark regional disparities persisted, with a significant proportion of child pandemic deaths occurring in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Moreover, the study found that excess death rates surpassed 150 deaths per 100,000 people in 80 countries and territories, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on certain regions. Subnational analyses revealed alarming trends, with some areas experiencing significant declines in life expectancy and surges in excess death rates.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges, it has also underscored the importance of global collaboration and investment in public health infrastructure,” said Dr. Schumacher. “Moving forward, it is essential to address the long-term implications of the pandemic on global health and to prioritize strategies for mitigating future crises.”
In a related commentary, experts emphasized the need for improved data collection and transparency in global health estimation efforts. They stressed the importance of empowering countries to utilize estimates effectively in directing interventions and prioritizing resources.
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lancet study serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for concerted global action to address the profound challenges facing public health.
