NCDs account for two-thirds of world’s mortality, morbidity: Study

By Admin

13 Oct, 2025

Published in The Lancet, the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study highlights a major shift in global health patterns.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes have emerged as the leading causes of death and disability across the world, now accounting for nearly two-thirds of global mortality and morbidity. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study published in The Lancet on Sunday, this marks a profound transformation in global health over the past few decades, even as the mean global age at death rose from 46.8 years in 1990 to 63.4 years in 2023.

Rising Life Expectancy, Shifting Disease Burden

The study revealed that for men, the average age at death increased from 45.4 years to 61.2 years, while for women it rose from 48.5 years to 65.9 years. Despite these improvements, researchers warn that lifestyle-related NCDs are now the biggest threat to global health.

“Over the past three decades, we found large reductions in age-standardised rates of YLLs [Years of Life Lost] for causes such as respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and nutritional deficiencies,” the study noted. These causes declined by 58.9% to 79.0%, showing major progress against infectious diseases but leaving NCDs as the dominant challenge.

Preventable Deaths Through Lifestyle Changes

One of the study’s key insights is that nearly half of all deaths and disabilities could be prevented by modifying key risk factors. These include reducing high blood sugar levels, controlling body mass index (BMI), and addressing high systolic blood pressure which remains the number one global risk factor in 2023. Other major risks include particulate matter pollution, smoking, and poor nutrition.

Global Mortality and Disability Trends

In 2023, there were 60.1 million deaths worldwide, with 4.67 million among children under five years. While the number of deaths has increased by 35.2% since 1950 due to population growth and ageing, the global age-standardised all-cause mortality rate declined by 66.6%, showing improved overall health outcomes.

Encouragingly, age-standardised DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) have dropped by 12.6% since 2010, reflecting gains in healthcare and disease prevention.

Mental Health and Ageing: The Next Global Challenge

The study also highlights the alarming rise in mental health issues, noting that anxiety and depression rates have surged by 62.8% and 26.3%, respectively, since 2010. Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease now ranks among the top 25 causes of DALYs, reflecting the growing impact of ageing populations.

Dr. Christopher Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, emphasized:

“The rapid growth in the world’s ageing population and evolving risk factors have ushered in a new era of global health challenges. The evidence presented in the GBD study is a wake-up call, urging leaders to respond swiftly and strategically to the disturbing trends reshaping public health.”

Healthier Populations, But Work Remains

Despite the challenges, there is positive news. The median global life expectancy has now exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching 76.3 years for females and 71.5 years for males. Researchers attribute this progress to medical advances, improved sanitation, and better disease management.

However, experts stress that targeting avoidable deaths and diseases through preventive healthcare, policy reforms, and public awareness campaigns is vital. As the study concludes, “Comprehensive, comparable, and timely estimates of demographic metrics including life expectancy and age-specific mortality are essential for understanding and addressing trends in population health.”

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, backed by 16,500 scientists and researchers worldwide, offers an unprecedented insight into humanity’s health trajectory   and a clear message that while we are living longer, tackling lifestyle-driven NCDs and mental health is now humanity’s most urgent health priority.