In a recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), it was revealed that East Asia contributed significantly to the global increase in life expectancy, with a notable gain of 8.3 years. The study identified key factors such as reductions in deaths from prevalent diseases like diarrhea, lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and stroke, which collectively elevated the global life expectancy by over six years since 1990.
The advancements in healthcare services and improved disease prevention strategies were instrumental in prolonging people’s lives. However, the positive trend faced a setback during the pandemic years due to government-mandated lockdowns and disruptions in global supply chains.
Researchers analyzed the causes of death worldwide over the past three decades and observed a remarkable overall increase in life expectancy by 6.2 years since 1990. The most significant progress in life expectancy was noted in Oceania, East Asia, and Eastern sub-Saharan Africa during the period from 1990 to 2019.
Eastern sub-Saharan Africa witnessed the most substantial surge in life expectancy, with an increase of 10.7 years. Meanwhile, the super-region comprising Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania experienced the second-largest gain in life expectancy, primarily attributed to the decline in mortality rates from various diseases including stroke, lower respiratory infections, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer.
The effective management of the pandemic further contributed to sustaining the life expectancy improvements in this region. South Asia ranked third in terms of net gain in life expectancy, with a significant decrease in deaths from diarrheal diseases playing a crucial role.
The study, featured in The Lancet, also highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on altering the leading causes of death globally for the first time in 30 years. Stroke, a historically dominant cause of death, was replaced by COVID-19 as the second most prevalent cause.
Furthermore, the research emphasized the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a substantial loss of life expectancy in 2021.
Dr. Liane Ong, a Lead Research Scientist at IHME and co-first author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings in enhancing strategies for reducing mortality rates and guiding effective public health interventions. The study also shed light on the geographical concentration of specific diseases, providing valuable insights for preventive measures and treatment protocols.
Professor Mohsen Naghabi, the Director of Subnational Burden of Disease Estimation at IHME and co-first author, highlighted the need to address diseases that are concentrated in specific regions, such as enteric diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and malaria in certain parts of Africa.
The study underscores the importance of focusing on preventing and treating these diseases to further improve global health outcomes. By sharing this valuable information, we can collectively contribute to promoting healthier and longer lives worldwide.