STUDIES Global life expectancy falls by 1.6 years in two years The COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on global life expectancy than any other event in the past 70 years. From 2019 to 2021, it fell by 1.6 years from 73.3 to 71.7 years [1]. The impact was felt in almost every country in the world, with national life expectancy declining in 172 countries - most significantly in Peru at -6.5 years [2]. In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 was the third and second leading cause of death worldwide, with heart attack and stroke being the other two leading causes. In the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, COVID19 took first place in both years [1]. Finally, delayed use of health services for other conditions may also have contributed to the decline in life expectancy [1]. The decline in adult excess mortality from COVID-19 from 2022 is attributed by the GBD researchers mainly to vaccination campaigns and the emergence of less lethal virus variants [2]. Future challenges The results of GBD 2021 show that a global pandemic can reverse decades of gains in life expectancy in just two years. The data provide an opportunity to better understand the concentration of excess mortality in certain regions and to identify causal factors. At the same time, countries with effective control measures could serve as models for other regions in the future. Biggest setback for global health in 70 years GBD data on COVID-19 pandemic Since 1950, the world‘s population has enjoyed steadily increasing life expectancy, higher levels of education, rising per capita income and remarkable technological innovation. However, dramatic events in the past, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic or natural disasters, have repeatedly shown that this positive trend cannot be taken for granted and that a reversal cannot be ruled out. The results of the recently published Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study now reveal for the first time the drastic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health [1]. References 1. GBD 2021 Causes of Death Collaborators (2024) Lancet 403: 2100-2132. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00367-2 2. GBD 2021 Demographics Collaborators (2024) Lancet 403: 1989-2056. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00476-8 1.6 years is the loss in global life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2.18% lower life expectancy within 2 years 2019 2021 29
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