The World Health Organization stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in life expectancies worldwide and has reversed ten years of health advancements.
Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy decreased by 1.8 years to 71.4 years. COVID-19 emerged as one of the primary causes of death in 2020, becoming the third-leading cause of death in 2020 and second-leading cause in 2021, according to the WHO.
Furthermore, the WHO highlighted the alarming rise in obesity and malnutrition globally. More than 1 billion individuals aged 5 years and above were living with obesity, while over half a billion were underweight.
The United States saw a decline in life expectancy in 2020 and 2021, but there was a slight increase in 2022. The life expectancy at birth in the U.S. 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. stood at 78.8 years.
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One of the key reasons for the rise in overall life expectancy in the U.S. in 2022 was the marked decrease in COVID-19-related fatalities compared to 2021. Additionally, improvements were noted in deaths related to heart disease, cancer, homicide, and unintentional injuries.
The WHO has outlined 17 sustainable goals aimed at enabling individuals to lead healthier and longer lives. These goals encompass areas such as health, combating hunger, and promoting education. Nonetheless, the WHO has expressed that none of these goals are currently attainable, with the situation being particularly dire for disabled or migrant populations.
“In school, a failing card or a failing grade may mean the need to repeat a year or a class,” explained Dr. Samira Asma, WHO assistant director-general for the Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact Division. “Failing our report card means that people who should be alive and healthy are sick or dying. We can’t repeat the test.”
Dr. Asma emphasized the importance of learning from countries making progress and providing funding to steer global health back on track.
