The World Health Organization stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on life expectancies worldwide, leading to the loss of a decade of health advancements.
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 2020, ranking as the third-leading cause of death in that year and advancing to the second position in 2021.
The rise in obesity and malnutrition is also a growing concern globally. The WHO reported that over 1 billion individuals aged 5 years and older are grappling with obesity, with more than half a billion facing underweight conditions.
In the United States, there was a decline in life expectancy in 2020 and 2021, but statistics show a slight 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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The improvement in overall life expectancy in 2022 in the U.S. can be attributed to a noticeable decrease in COVID-19-related deaths compared to 2021. Additionally, there were enhancements in fatalities related to heart disease, cancer, homicide, and unintentional injuries.
The WHO has identified 17 sustainable goals aimed at extending and improving people’s lives. These objectives revolve around health, addressing hunger, and advancing education. However, the WHO emphasizes that none of these goals are currently attainable, especially 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 retake the test.”
Dr. Asma stressed the significance of learning from nations that are progressing and allocating resources to steer global health in the right direction.
