Global life expectancy suffered a setback during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO’s annual Health Statistics Report, life expectancy decreased by nearly two years between 2019 and 2021, bringing it down to 71.4 years globally. This decline erased a decade of progress, with life expectancy falling back to the same levels as in 2012. The agency highlighted the fragility of health gains, emphasizing that COVID-19 had undone years of advancements in global health.
The pandemic’s impact on life expectancy has raised concerns about achieving the UN’s health-related sustainable development goals by 2030. Despite progress made in some areas, the world is falling short of these goals. For instance, maternal mortality rates remain high, with a woman dying from maternal causes every two minutes globally. The WHO also highlighted the need for more efforts in providing universal health coverage and ensuring better protection from health emergencies. While some progress has been made in these areas, it falls short of the ambitious targets set by the WHO.
COVID-19 emerged as a significant cause of death during the pandemic years, ranking as the third-highest cause of mortality in 2020 and the second in 2021. An estimated 13 million people lost their lives due to the virus, making it the leading cause of death in the Americas during these two years. Before the pandemic, non-communicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases were leading causes of death globally. Despite a decline in these diseases during the pandemic, they still accounted for a significant percentage of deaths worldwide, emphasizing the need for continued focus on preventing and treating these conditions.
The WHO’s report also highlighted the issue of health inequities, pointing to the “double burden” of malnutrition and obesity affecting over a billion people globally. Additionally, more than half a billion individuals are underweight, while 16% of the global population lives with a disability. The report stressed the need for targeted actions to address health inequities and strengthen health systems to promote equity. Access to health services for migrants and refugees remains limited, with barriers like language, cultural differences, and institutional discrimination hindering their health outcomes.
The WHO emphasized the importance of data analytics and reporting to monitor progress and address global health challenges effectively. Accurate and timely data are crucial for tracking health indicators, delivering on health-related goals, and addressing disparities in health outcomes. The report called for better use of data to understand the needs of vulnerable populations like migrants, refugees, and individuals with disabilities. Improving data collection and analytics can help in identifying and addressing gaps in health services and tracking progress towards achieving sustainable development goals by 2030.
In conclusion, the WHO’s Health Statistics Report highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy, health inequities, and progress towards health-related sustainable development goals. The report underscores the need for accelerated efforts to improve health outcomes, strengthen health systems, and address disparities in health access and outcomes. By focusing on data analytics, reporting, and targeted actions, countries can work towards achieving the WHO’s ambitious health targets and ensuring better health for all individuals worldwide.
