Introduction
At GSS Health and Consultation Company, we believe in the power of knowledge to shape our understanding of global health trends. In this article, we provide a brief summary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Statistics 2022 Report, shedding light on key indicators such as Life Expectancy (LE), Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE), Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and more.
The WHO’s World Health Statistics 2022 Report highlights both progress and challenges in global health. At GSS Health and Consultation Company, we strive to contribute to a healthier world by offering quality healthcare services, innovative treatments, and personalized care. Join us in our mission to improve health outcomes and promote well-being for all. Let’s embark on a journey to better understand global health and make informed decisions about our well-being.
1. Life Expectancy (LE)
LE refers to the number of years a person can expect to live on average. Globally, LE at birth was 73.6 years in 2019, up from 66.8 years in 2000. The highest LEs were in high-income countries, with an average of 78.3 years, while low- and middle-income countries had an average LE of 72.4 years.
Life Expectancy (LE) is a measure of the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality rates. It is an important indicator of population health and is often used to compare health outcomes across different countries and regions.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 report, there have been significant improvements in LE over the past few decades, but there are still significant disparities between countries and income levels.
High-income countries have the highest LE, with an average LE of 81 years. This is largely due to factors such as better access to healthcare, education, and public health programs, as well as lower rates of infectious diseases.
Middle-income countries have made significant progress in increasing LE over the past few decades, with an average LE of 71 years. However, there is still significant variation in LE within this group, with some countries performing significantly better than others.
Low-income countries have the lowest LE, with an average LE of 62 years. This is largely due to factors such as limited access to healthcare services, environmental hazards, and poverty. It’s important to note that LE is influenced by a variety of factors such as social determinants of health, healthcare access and quality, and environmental factors. Therefore, targeted public health interventions and policies that address specific local needs and challenges are critical to improving population health outcomes and increasing LE.
2. Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE)
HALE measures the number of years a person can expect to live in good health. The global HALE at birth was 63.3 years in 2019, an increase from 59.3 years in 2000. The highest HALEs were in high-income countries, with an average of 71.5 years, while low- and middle-income countries had an average HALE of 61.4 years.
HALE is a measure of the average number of years a person is expected to live in full health based on current mortality and morbidity rates. It takes into account both mortality and morbidity, providing a more comprehensive measure of population health than Life Expectancy (LE) alone.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 report, there are significant disparities in HALE between countries of different income levels.
High-income countries have the highest HALE, with an average HALE of 73 years. This is largely due to factors such as better access to healthcare, education, and public health programs, as well as lower rates of infectious diseases and injuries.
Middle-income countries have made significant progress in increasing HALE over the past few decades, with an average HALE of 63 years. However, there is still significant variation in HALE within this group, with some countries performing significantly better than others.
Low-income countries have the lowest HALE, with an average HALE of 53 years. This is largely due to factors such as high burden of communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal conditions, and malnutrition.
It’s important to note that HALE is influenced by a variety of factors such as social determinants of health, healthcare access and quality, and environmental factors. Therefore, targeted public health interventions and policies that address specific local needs and challenges are critical to improving population health outcomes and increasing HALE.
3. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)
DALYs measure the number of years of healthy life lost due to premature death and disability. The global DALY rate has been decreasing, with a decline of 21% between 2000 and 2019. Non-communicable diseases account for the majority of DALYs globally, with mental and substance use disorders being the leading causes of disability.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) is a measure of the burden of disease that takes into account both the years of life lost due to premature mortality and the years lived with disability. It provides a comprehensive measure of the overall impact of disease on a population’s health.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 report, there are significant disparities in DALYs between countries of different income levels.
High-income countries have the lowest burden of disease, with an average of 7,361 DALYs per 100,000 population. This is largely due to factors such as better access to healthcare, education, and public health programs, as well as lower rates of infectious diseases and injuries.
Middle-income countries have a higher burden of disease, with an average of 12,024 DALYs per 100,000 population. However, there is still significant variation in DALYs within this group, with some countries experiencing a much higher burden of disease than others.
Low-income countries have the highest burden of disease, with an average of 18,019 DALYs per 100,000 population. This is largely due to factors such as high burden of communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal conditions, and malnutrition. It’s important to note that the burden of disease is influenced by a variety of factors such as social determinants of health, healthcare access and quality, and environmental factors. Therefore, targeted public health interventions and policies that address specific local needs and challenges are critical to reducing the burden of disease and improving population health outcomes.
4. Mortality
The global mortality rate declined by 13% between 2000 and 2019. The leading causes of death worldwide were ischemic heart disease, stroke, and lower respiratory infections. However, the report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mortality rates globally.
Mortality is a measure of the number of deaths in a population over a certain period of time. Mortality rates can provide valuable insights into the health status of a population, and can help identify areas for improvement in healthcare and public health interventions.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 report, there are significant differences in mortality rates between countries of different income levels.
High-income countries have the lowest mortality rates, with an average of 6 deaths per 1,000 population. This is largely due to factors such as better access to healthcare, education, and public health programs, as well as lower rates of infectious diseases and injuries.
Middle-income countries have higher mortality rates, with an average of 7 deaths per 1,000 population. However, there is still significant variation in mortality rates within this group, with some countries experiencing much higher mortality rates than others.
Low-income countries have the highest mortality rates, with an average of 11 deaths per 1,000 population. This is largely due to factors such as high burden of communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal conditions, and malnutrition.
It’s important to note that mortality rates can be influenced by a variety of factors such as social determinants of health, healthcare access and quality, and environmental factors. Therefore, targeted public health interventions and policies that address specific local needs and challenges are critical to reducing mortality rates and improving population health outcomes.
5. Morbidity
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major contributor to morbidity globally. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and respiratory diseases account for approximately 73% of all deaths globally and are the leading cause of disability and long-term health problems. Other major causes of morbidity include communicable diseases, injuries, and mental health disorders.
Morbidity rates can vary significantly by country income level. Generally, low- and middle-income countries tend to have higher morbidity rates due to factors such as limited access to healthcare services, environmental hazards, and poverty. In contrast, high-income countries tend to have lower morbidity rates due to better access to healthcare, education, and public health programs.
For example, according to the World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 report, the leading causes of morbidity in low-income countries include communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, as well as maternal and neonatal conditions. In middle-income countries, the burden of morbidity shifts to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, as well as injuries. High-income countries have a lower burden of communicable diseases and injuries, but non-communicable diseases remain a significant contributor to morbidity.
However, it’s important to note that even within income categories, there can be significant variation in morbidity rates. Factors such as geographic location, demographics, and cultural factors can all play a role in determining morbidity rates in a particular population. Therefore, targeted public health interventions and healthcare programs that address specific local needs and challenges are critical to reducing morbidity rates and improving health outcomes.
In conclusion, the WHO’s World Health Statistics 2022 report provides valuable insights into the state of global health and the progress that has been made in improving health outcomes. However, there is still a long way to go to achieve equitable health outcomes for all, and continued investment in global health initiatives is needed to address these disparities.