COVID-19 had a significant impact on life expectancy, while child mortality rates continued to decline during the pandemic, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
A recent study published in The Lancet sheds light on the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy, revealing never-before-seen details about the staggering mortality rates within and across countries. The research, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, presents updated estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, providing a comprehensive overview of the pandemic's toll on human health. The study indicates that global life expectancy dropped by 1.6 years from 2019 to 2021, marking a sharp reversal from previous trends of increasing life expectancy.
Countries such as Mexico City, Peru, and Bolivia experienced some of the largest declines in life expectancy during this period. The impact of the pandemic was particularly devastating for adults worldwide, with life expectancy declining in 84% of countries and territories. The study highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic had a more profound effect on global health than any other event in the past five decades, surpassing the impact of conflicts and natural disasters.
Notably, the study also found that child mortality rates continued to decline during the pandemic, with half a million fewer deaths among children under 5 in 2021 compared to 2019. Mortality rates among children under 5 decreased by 7% from 2019 to 2021, indicating a positive trend in child health outcomes despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The researchers at IHME identified high mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in regions that were previously underreported or unrecognized. For instance, countries like Jordan and Nicaragua experienced significant excess mortality due to the pandemic, which was not evident in previous assessments. Subnational locations such as the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo also reported among the highest age-adjusted excess mortality rates and largest declines in life expectancy globally during the pandemic.
While the pandemic resulted in a substantial increase in mortality among older populations, it did not erase the historic progress made in increasing life expectancy over the past seven decades. The study estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 22% rise in mortality among people over the age of 15 globally, with notable gender disparities.
In addition to assessing the impact of the pandemic on mortality, the GBD 2021 study also analyzed population trends. The rate of global population growth began to decline in 2017, and these declines accelerated during the pandemic. As of 2021, 56 countries have reached peak population, leading to population declines in these regions. However, rapid population growth persists in many lower-income countries, indicating ongoing demographic shifts.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the study emphasizes the continued progress in reducing child mortality globally over the past 72 years. While disparities in child mortality rates persist between regions, the overall trend shows a positive decline in child deaths. The authors stress the importance of building on these successes while addressing health disparities and preparing for future pandemics.
The GBD 2021 study provides valuable insights into the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health, demographics, and society. It underscores the need for policy interventions to address the challenges posed by declining population growth, aging populations, and disparities in health outcomes. The findings from the study will be crucial for informing future health policies, economic strategies, and social initiatives worldwide.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1037299
Countries such as Mexico City, Peru, and Bolivia experienced some of the largest declines in life expectancy during this period. The impact of the pandemic was particularly devastating for adults worldwide, with life expectancy declining in 84% of countries and territories. The study highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic had a more profound effect on global health than any other event in the past five decades, surpassing the impact of conflicts and natural disasters.
Notably, the study also found that child mortality rates continued to decline during the pandemic, with half a million fewer deaths among children under 5 in 2021 compared to 2019. Mortality rates among children under 5 decreased by 7% from 2019 to 2021, indicating a positive trend in child health outcomes despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The researchers at IHME identified high mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in regions that were previously underreported or unrecognized. For instance, countries like Jordan and Nicaragua experienced significant excess mortality due to the pandemic, which was not evident in previous assessments. Subnational locations such as the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo also reported among the highest age-adjusted excess mortality rates and largest declines in life expectancy globally during the pandemic.
While the pandemic resulted in a substantial increase in mortality among older populations, it did not erase the historic progress made in increasing life expectancy over the past seven decades. The study estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 22% rise in mortality among people over the age of 15 globally, with notable gender disparities.
In addition to assessing the impact of the pandemic on mortality, the GBD 2021 study also analyzed population trends. The rate of global population growth began to decline in 2017, and these declines accelerated during the pandemic. As of 2021, 56 countries have reached peak population, leading to population declines in these regions. However, rapid population growth persists in many lower-income countries, indicating ongoing demographic shifts.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the study emphasizes the continued progress in reducing child mortality globally over the past 72 years. While disparities in child mortality rates persist between regions, the overall trend shows a positive decline in child deaths. The authors stress the importance of building on these successes while addressing health disparities and preparing for future pandemics.
The GBD 2021 study provides valuable insights into the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health, demographics, and society. It underscores the need for policy interventions to address the challenges posed by declining population growth, aging populations, and disparities in health outcomes. The findings from the study will be crucial for informing future health policies, economic strategies, and social initiatives worldwide.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1037299
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