The World Health Organization stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in life expectancy globally, erasing a decade of health advancements.
The WHO reported that between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy decreased by 1.8 years to 71.4 years. COVID-19 emerged as a prominent cause of death in both 2020 and 2021, ranking as the third-leading cause in 2020 and the second-leading cause in 2021.
The prevalence of obesity and malnutrition is also on the rise worldwide. The WHO indicated that over 1 billion individuals aged 5 years and above were living with obesity, while more than half a billion were underweight.
The United States witnessed a decline in life expectancy in 2020 and 2021, however, data shows a marginal improvement in 2022. U.S. life expectancy at birth rose to 77.5 years in 2022, up from 76.4 in 2021 and 77 in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 78.8 years.
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One primary factor contributing to the uptick in overall life expectancy in the U.S. in 2022 was the notable decrease in COVID-19-related fatalities compared to 2021. Additionally, there were enhancements in heart disease, cancer, homicide, and unintentional injury mortality rates.
The WHO has identified 17 sustainable development goals aimed at promoting healthier and longer lives for individuals worldwide. These objectives encompass health, combating hunger, and advancing education. However, the WHO highlighted that none of these goals are currently achievable, and the situation is particularly dire for disabled or migrant populations.
“In school, receiving a failing grade may necessitate repeating a year or a class,” remarked Dr. Samira Asma, WHO assistant director-general for the Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact Division. “But failing our health report card means that individuals who should be alive and healthy are suffering from illness or dying. We cannot afford to repeat this test.”
Dr. Asma emphasized the importance of learning from countries making strides in health progress and allocating resources to steer global health back on course.
