The study reveals a sharp increase in non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions, with depression and anxiety disorders affecting women more than men. Mental disorders contribute to nearly 11 million years lived in less than ideal health, exacerbating the problem by lack of mental health practitioners and funding.
A new study reveals that 30% of the world's population is affected by weight problems, resulting in over 4 million deaths attributed to excess body weight. The study found that nearly 40% of these deaths occurred among people with a BMI below the threshold for obesity, highlighting the risks associated with being overweight or obese.
A global study reveals significant disparities in healthcare access and quality among countries, with the US scoring poorly due to preventable causes. The study uses a novel analysis of mortality rates from 32 amenable causes, providing insights into gaps in healthcare systems worldwide.
A new study found that the gap between the longest and shortest lifespans in the US has grown significantly since 1980, with some counties experiencing life expectancies as low as 66.8 years. Policies to reduce health inequalities are needed, including promoting healthy behaviors and addressing socioeconomic factors.
According to a new analysis, health spending is expected to increase rapidly in high-income countries, while low-income countries are projected to see relatively slow growth. This could lead to rising out-of-pocket costs for people in emerging economies, leaving the poorest unable to afford care.
The prevalence of daily smoking declined globally between 1990 and 2015, but the number of daily smokers continues to rise year-over-year. Robust tobacco control programs have led to progress in reducing smoking rates, but more efforts are needed to prevent new smokers and encourage quitters.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $279 million to the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) over the next decade. This investment will enable IHME to provide critical data on global health trends, informing policymakers' decisions and improving population health worldwide.
A new study reveals significant disparities in US cancer mortality rates among over 3,100 counties, highlighting unacceptable geographic variations and potential explanations for these differences. The analysis of 29 types of cancer shows that areas with high smoking rates and poor prevention programs tend to have higher mortality rates.
A new analysis of US health spending reveals that just 20 conditions account for half of all spending, with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and low back and neck pain being the top three. Total personal health care spending reached $2.4 trillion in 2013, with women aged 85 and older spending the most per person on healthcare.
A new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reveals substantial geographic differences in mortality rates from substance abuse, mental disorders, and other causes of death. The US death rate nearly tripled since 1980, with over 2,000 counties witnessing increases of 200% or more.
A new study found that cancer cases are growing at an alarming rate in less developed countries, with a 50% increase between 2005 and 2015. The global burden of disease is heaviest for countries with high development levels, but the most rapid escalation can be seen in low-income nations where health services are often lacking.
A new Global Burden of Diseases study reveals that while improvements in sanitation and nutrition have led to longer lifespans, significant health challenges like obesity, high blood sugar, and alcohol abuse threaten progress. The study shows that many countries face health challenges despite income growth and education increases.
A new scientific study finds that wars and civil unrest are subverting improved health conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Conflicts have destroyed infrastructures, displaced millions of people, and slowed immunization campaigns, posing major obstacles to public health efforts.
Researchers found that improving health facility efficiency in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia could increase ART visits by 33% in Kenya and Zambia, and 62% in Uganda. This could support facilities seeing almost 460,000 new ART patients across the three countries.
A new study found that the rate of new HIV infections increased in 74 countries between 2005 and 2015, posing significant challenges to ending the AIDS pandemic. Despite progress in lowering AIDS mortality, the pace of decline in new infections has slowed, with only a 0.7% drop per year between 2005 and 2015.
Funding for maternal and child health has grown faster than HIV, TB, and malaria since 2010. Despite this growth, global health spending remains stagnant, with total development assistance for health increasing only slightly between 2010 and 2015.
A new study predicts that global health spending will increase to $18.28 trillion by 2040, but persistent inequities are expected to worsen. Low- and lower-middle-income countries will spend the least on health, while high-income countries will allocate a significant portion of their GDP to healthcare.
By 2025, cardiovascular disease is projected to claim 7.8 million premature lives annually if current trends continue. The US and some other countries will see declines in mortality rates, while many others will not meet the UN goal of a 25% reduction.
Poor diets, high systolic blood pressure, and smoking are top risk factors for global deaths, contributing to 30.8 million deaths in 2013. High blood pressure's impact on mortality has grown significantly, especially among men, while poor diet is the greatest cumulative impact on health.
The study found that global life expectancy has increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2013, while healthy life expectancy rose by 5.4 years, indicating a growing gap between overall mortality rates and the impact of non-fatal conditions on quality of life.
A new analysis found that over 34 million children's lives have been saved since 2000 due to investments in child health programs at a cost of as little as $4,205 per child. The report, published in The Lancet, also highlights the impact of funding from donor agencies such as the US government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The world invested more than $200 billion to improve health in lower-income countries between 2000 and 2014. Despite a significant increase in funding after the Millennium Development Goals were established, global health financing stagnated between 2010 and 2014.
Nonfatal diseases and injuries are increasingly affecting global health, with back pain, depression, and mental disorders among the leading causes of years lived with disability. The study found that YLDs increased by 52% between 1990 and 2013, with population growth and aging contributing to the growing burden.
New cancer cases are increasing globally, with significant rises in prostate and breast cancer since 1990. However, death rates from cancer are falling in many countries due to prevention and treatment progress.
Heavy drinking has increased by 17.2% since 2005, while binge drinking has risen 8.9%. Women are more likely to be binge drinkers than men. The study highlights the need for locally-focused alcohol policies and programs.
The number of global cardiovascular deaths has risen by 41% between 1990 and 2013, but death rates within specific age groups have dropped by 39%. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of premature death globally, with population aging contributing to an estimated 55% increase in cardiovascular disease deaths.
The global life expectancy has increased due to lower rates of cardiovascular disease deaths in high-income countries and child deaths in low-income countries. However, disparities remain across age groups and countries, with some regions experiencing gains while others face unique health challenges.
The number of deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has decreased significantly worldwide since 2000. In sub-Saharan Africa, child deaths from malaria have dropped by 31.5% in the past decade. Researchers attribute the decline to improved access to antiretroviral therapy and treatment.
Global obesity rates have increased substantially over the last three decades, with nearly 30% of the world's population affected. The study found that children and adolescents are particularly at risk, with rates increasing by nearly 50% between 1980 and 2013.
Since 1990, global maternal and child deaths have declined by nearly half, with significant acceleration after the Millennium Development Goals were set. Improved education, income growth, technological advances, and increased investment in maternal and child health have contributed to this progress.
The US has seen a disturbing trend of increasing maternal mortality, ranking 60th globally with 796 maternal deaths in 2013. The largest increase occurred among women aged 20-24, and possible explanations include lack of prenatal care access and high caesarian section rates.
Global health funding reached an all-time high of $31.3 billion in 2013, driven by increased support for maternal and child health. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to receive relatively little development assistance, despite being a major burden in the developing world.
A recent study by IHME found that a small number of US counties are driving declines in smoking rates, with some seeing significant drops over the past decade. These counties tend to have more progressive tobacco control policies and programs.
The study found that while global smoking prevalence decreased between 1980 and 2012, the number of cigarette smokers worldwide increased due to population growth. In 2012, the highest smoking rates were found in countries such as Russia and Indonesia, with over 50% of men smoking daily.
The study found that between 2006 and 2010, HIV/AIDS deaths increased in 98 countries, with a growing share of the burden shifting from Eastern Africa to Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, countries where HIV/AIDS is not the leading cause of disease burden saw a larger share of the overall burden.
Despite increased physical activity, obesity rates remain high in nearly all US counties, with some areas experiencing significant declines while others struggle to make progress. The trend has little impact on life expectancy, which remains slow compared to global peers.
The US is losing ground in health outcomes to other countries, with mental and behavioral disorders, musculoskeletal problems, and neurological conditions causing significant disability. Chronic disability now accounts for nearly half of all health loss in the US.
China has made substantial gains in health over the past two decades, including increases in life expectancy and declines in infectious diseases. However, the growth of non-communicable diseases and risk factors such as tobacco use and high blood pressure are becoming major public health concerns.
The study found significant differences across US counties, genders, and ethnic groups in hypertension treatment and control. Despite high prevalence of hypertension in the southeast, the region also had the highest levels of treatment.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 Study reveals surprising health trends around the world, including rising life expectancy but increasing sickness and disability. The study provides detailed findings on demographics, disease, and disability in 187 countries.
The UK's pace of decline in premature mortality has fallen behind the average of other European countries and EU15+ nations over the past 20 years. The country struggles with disabling conditions such as back and neck pain, depression, and drug use, leading to more chronic disability than ever before.
Despite dire predictions, global health funding from the US and other donors appears to be holding steady. However, a new report highlights discrepancies between donor priorities and global health needs, suggesting that funding may need to be reassessed.
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 reveals massive shifts in health trends worldwide, with people living longer but sicker. Chronic diseases and injuries are now the primary causes of death, driven by a growing global population.
New research from IHME found that despite increasing obesity rates in the US between 2008 and 2009, most Americans reported losing weight. Women were more attuned to their weight changes than men, while older adults were less aware of their weight shifts.
New research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reveals that more than 1.2 million people died from malaria worldwide in 2010, with 42% of those deaths occurring in older children and adults. The study found that anti-malaria drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets have driven a rapid decline in mortality rates.
New research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation finds that global health funding has slowed due to cutbacks in the US and shortfalls at the Global Fund, raising concerns about meeting the Millennium Development Goal deadline. Despite this, strong commitments to global health have been made by many countries.
A new collection of research by IHME provides innovative automated tools for analyzing verbal autopsies, which can be used in countries without vital registration systems. The Random Forest method outperforms traditional physician review and is faster, cheaper, and more accurate.
More than half of countries are lowering maternal and child mortality rates faster than the global average, with progress particularly strong in sub-Saharan Africa. However, few countries are on track to meet international targets for reducing these deaths, highlighting the need for immediate action.
Breast and cervical cancer cases are rising globally, with more women dying at younger ages in developing countries. The study reveals stark differences in trends between high- and low-income countries, highlighting the need for increased cancer screening and treatment programs in poor nations.
A recent study published in PLoS Medicine found that ownership of at least one insecticide-treated bed net reduces malaria infections and child deaths by 20% and 23%, respectively. The study analyzed data from 29 health surveys in 22 sub-Saharan African countries, providing strong evidence for the effectiveness of bed nets.