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Heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have reemerged as the world’s leading causes of death, surpassing COVID-19, according to new global data published in The Lancet.
The report found that while COVID-19 was the top cause of death in 2021, it fell dramatically to 20th place by 2023 as the pandemic’s impact waned.
The study revealed that deaths from infectious diseases such as measles and tuberculosis have decreased worldwide. However, chronic non-communicable diseases—including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and disorders related to drug use—are steadily increasing.
Researchers warned that although these slower-developing conditions attract less attention than global health emergencies, their long-term effects on societies remain severe.
One of the report’s most striking findings was the rise in deaths among young adults in North America, particularly from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related illnesses.
The study also noted regional and gender-based differences, highlighting that men are disproportionately affected by deaths from conflict and terrorism in certain parts of the world.
Globally, the average age at death increased from about 47 years in 1990 to over 63 years in 2023, marking a significant improvement in overall life expectancy. Women continue to live longer than men, averaging 80.9 years in high-income countries compared to 74.8 years for men.
The lowest life expectancies were reported in sub-Saharan Africa—38 years for women and 35.6 years for men—underlining deep global health inequalities.
Researchers emphasized that strengthening healthcare systems is vital to address both future pandemics and the growing burden of chronic diseases, particularly in aging populations.
“There is an ever-present need for strengthened health-care systems that are resilient to future pandemics and the shifting burden of disease,” the study stated.
The authors also underlined the importance of accurate mortality data for guiding global health policy.
They called for international cooperation to tackle preventable deaths, stressing that “the need for global collaboration to reduce preventable mortality is more important than ever.”
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