While the statistics on tuberculosis, COVID-19, and malaria capture alarming headlines, a silent crisis of neglected diseases, mental health struggles, and preventable chronic conditions reveals a far more complex and urgent global health landscape that demands our attention.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, tuberculosis caused 1.3 million deaths globally, with 161,000 among HIV-positive people
- COVID-19 resulted in over 7 million confirmed deaths worldwide by mid-2023, with excess mortality estimated at 14.9 million
- Malaria caused 608,000 deaths in 2022, primarily among children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa at 76%
- Cardiovascular diseases caused 17.9 million deaths in 2020, 32% of all global deaths
- Cancers accounted for 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020
- Diabetes led to 1.5 million direct deaths in 2019, plus 2.2 million from high blood glucose
- Maternal mortality ratio was 223 deaths per 100,000 live births globally in 2020
- 287,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes in 2020
- Under-5 mortality rate dropped to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022
- Depression affects 3.8% of population, 5% women, 2.6% men
- Anxiety disorders impacted 301 million people in 2019
- Bipolar disorder affected 40 million globally in 2019
- 35.9 million tobacco users aged 15+ in 2022
- Tobacco kills over 8 million yearly, including 1.3 million non-smokers
- 1 in 8 deaths from tobacco in 2019
These statistics reveal a world still grappling with devastating infectious and chronic diseases.
Chronic Diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases caused 17.9 million deaths in 2020, 32% of all global deaths
- Cancers accounted for 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020
- Diabetes led to 1.5 million direct deaths in 2019, plus 2.2 million from high blood glucose
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) killed 3.23 million in 2019
- Stroke caused 6.6 million deaths in 2020
- Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death, 8.9 million in 2020
- Chronic kidney disease resulted in 3 million deaths in 2020
- Alzheimer's disease and dementia caused 1.8 million deaths in 2021
- Hypertension affected 1.28 billion adults in 2018
- Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was 0.46% globally in 2019
- Osteoarthritis affected 595 million people in 2020
- Asthma impacted 262 million people, causing 455,000 deaths in 2019
- Parkinson's disease had 8.5 million cases globally in 2019
- Oral diseases affected 3.5 billion people in 2022
- Liver cirrhosis caused 1.3 million deaths in 2019
- Sickle cell disease affected 7.74 million with 376,000 deaths in 2021
- Multiple sclerosis prevalence reached 2.8 million worldwide in 2020
- Endometriosis impacted 190 million women globally
- Gout prevalence was 2-4% in many countries in 2023
- Psoriasis affected 2-3% of the global population
- Systemic lupus erythematosus had 0.3-0.5% prevalence in women
- Crohn's disease incidence rose 50% in recent decades
- Ulcerative colitis affected 5 million worldwide
- Fibromyalgia prevalence was 2-8% globally
- Chronic fatigue syndrome affected up to 2.5 million in US alone
Chronic Diseases Interpretation
Our collective modern lifestyle has, it seems, become a masterfully diverse but grimly efficient portfolio manager of human suffering, with cardiovascular disease as its blue-chip stock, cancers as its aggressive growth fund, and a sprawling array of chronic conditions as its ever-expanding venture capital arm.
Infectious Diseases
- In 2022, tuberculosis caused 1.3 million deaths globally, with 161,000 among HIV-positive people
- COVID-19 resulted in over 7 million confirmed deaths worldwide by mid-2023, with excess mortality estimated at 14.9 million
- Malaria caused 608,000 deaths in 2022, primarily among children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa at 76%
- HIV led to 630,000 deaths in 2022, down 69% from 2004 peak
- Hepatitis B caused 1.1 million deaths in 2019, mostly from cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Measles outbreaks in 2022 led to 136,000 deaths globally, mainly unvaccinated children
- Dengue affected 6.5 million people in the Americas in 2023, with 970 deaths reported
- Cholera cases surged to 535,821 in 2022 across 42 countries
- Polio cases numbered 12 wild poliovirus type 1 in 2023, all in Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Neglected tropical diseases like lymphatic filariasis affected 51 million in 2021
- Influenza caused 290,000–650,000 respiratory deaths annually worldwide
- Antimicrobial resistance directly caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019
- Leprosy diagnosed 127,000 new cases in 2022, with India accounting for 59%
- Rabies killed 59,000 people yearly, 40% children under 15
- Mpox cases exceeded 99,000 globally since 2022, with 366 deaths
- Ebola outbreaks in 2023 reported 19 cases and 7 deaths in Uganda
- Yellow fever cases reached 2,959 with 431 deaths in Africa and Americas in 2022
- Nipah virus reported 17 human cases in 2023 in Bangladesh
- Zika virus linked to 86 microcephaly cases in Americas post-2015
- Buruli ulcer cases totaled 3,427 globally in 2022
- Hepatitis C caused 290,000 deaths in 2019 from cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Syphilis cases rose to 8 million globally in 2022
- Gonorrhea incidence reached 82.4 million new cases in 2020 among 15-49 year olds
- Chlamydia caused 128.5 million new cases globally in 2020
- Pertussis (whooping cough) reported 151,000 cases in 2022
- Diphtheria resurgence saw 4,480 cases in 2022, mostly Guinea
- Meningococcal disease killed 32,000 newborns annually from sepsis/meningitis
- Rotavirus caused 128,505 deaths in children under 5 in 2019
- Norovirus led to 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths yearly
- Hepatitis A incidence was 1.5 million cases globally in 2016
Infectious Diseases Interpretation
We are simultaneously winning wars and losing battles on the global health chessboard, as remarkable declines in diseases like HIV and polio starkly contrast with the relentless march of ancient plagues like tuberculosis and malaria, alongside newly surging threats like antimicrobial resistance, reminding us that progress is neither linear nor permanent.
Maternal and Child Health
- Maternal mortality ratio was 223 deaths per 100,000 live births globally in 2020
- 287,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes in 2020
- Under-5 mortality rate dropped to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022
- Neonatal deaths totaled 2.3 million in 2022, 47% of under-5 deaths
- Preterm birth complications caused 1 million neonatal deaths yearly
- 14 million adolescent girls give birth yearly in low/middle-income countries
- Stillbirths numbered 1.9 million in 2021
- Congenital anomalies caused 240,000 neonatal deaths in 2020
- Low birth weight affected 20.5 million newborns (14.8%) in 2020
- Obstetric fistula impacts 2 million women worldwide
- Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia caused 14% of maternal deaths
- Postpartum haemorrhage led to 27% of maternal deaths
- 2.4 million children under 5 stunted in growth in 2022
- 148 million children under 5 wasted in 2022
- Breastfeeding rates: only 44% exclusively breastfed first 6 months
- 45% of deaths in children under 5 due to malnutrition
- Globally, 93 million girls not in school, impacting maternal health knowledge
- Antenatal care coverage: 66% received at least 4 visits in 2022
- Skilled birth attendance: 88% globally in 2020
- Postnatal care within 2 days: 77% coverage in 2020
Maternal and Child Health Interpretation
We have conquered the cradle of life with skilled attendants, yet inside that very sanctuary we still lose a small nation of mothers and infants each year to a quiet siege of preventable complications, malnutrition, and inequality.
Mental Health
- Depression affects 3.8% of population, 5% women, 2.6% men
- Anxiety disorders impacted 301 million people in 2019
- Bipolar disorder affected 40 million globally in 2019
- Schizophrenia prevalence 0.32% or 24 million worldwide in 2019
- Eating disorders affected 14 million people in 2019
- Suicide resulted in 727,000 deaths in 2021, 58% men
- Alcohol use disorders: 400 million people aged 15+ in 2019
- Drug use disorders affected 40 million in 2019
- PTSD prevalence post-trauma 3.9% lifetime in US
- ADHD affected 366 million in 2021 globally
- Autism spectrum disorder: 1 in 100 children worldwide
- 970 million people living with mental disorder in 2019
- One in eight people live with mental disorder
- Antipsychotic treatment gap 90% in low-income countries
- Depression major contributor to suicide, second leading cause 15-29 years
- Harmful alcohol use causes 3 million deaths yearly, 5.3% all deaths
- Opioid use disorder affected 60 million globally in 2021
- Cannabis use disorder: 22 million sufferers in 2021
- Amphetamine use disorder impacted 29 million in 2021
Mental Health Interpretation
The sheer scale of global mental health challenges, from nearly a billion people living with a disorder to the vast treatment gaps and substance-linked tragedies, paints a sobering portrait of a world that is statistically, and quite literally, driving itself to distraction and despair.
Nutrition and Lifestyle
- 35.9 million tobacco users aged 15+ in 2022
- Tobacco kills over 8 million yearly, including 1.3 million non-smokers
- 1 in 8 deaths from tobacco in 2019
- Obesity tripled since 1975, 1 in 8 people obese in 2022
- 2.5 billion adults overweight, 890 million obese in 2022
- Childhood obesity rose from 4% to 18% in 50 years
- Physical inactivity causes 3.2 million deaths yearly
- 1 in 4 adults not active enough, 81% adolescents inactive
- 149 million children stunted, 45 million wasted in 2021
- Micronutrient deficiencies: 2 billion people affected
- Salt intake average 9-12g/day, double WHO recommendation
- Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to obesity rise
- Fruit/veg intake insufficient in 80% population
- Alcohol causes 3 million deaths yearly
- 400 million with alcohol disorders
- Ultra-processed foods >50% energy intake in high-income countries
- Sedentary behaviour 6-8 hours/day average adult
- Sleep deprivation affects 1 in 3 adults, linked to obesity
- Trans fats cause 540,000 deaths yearly from heart disease
- Vitamin A deficiency blinds 250,000-500,000 children yearly
- Iodine deficiency affects 2 billion, lowers IQ by 10-15 points
- Iron deficiency anaemia in 40% preschool children, 37% pregnant women
- Food insecurity affected 783 million in 2022
- Double burden: 390 million obese and undernourished simultaneously
Nutrition and Lifestyle Interpretation
While we have proudly engineered the longest human lifespan in history, our collective vices in what we consume, breathe, and do are now meticulously dismantling it from the inside, creating a global population where being overfed but undernourished and sedentary yet sleep-deprived is the tragic new normal.
Sources & References
- Reference 1WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 2UNAIDSunaids.orgVisit source
- Reference 3PAHOpaho.orgVisit source
- Reference 4POLIOERADICATIONpolioeradication.orgVisit source
- Reference 5THELANCETthelancet.comVisit source
- Reference 6CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 7OARSIoarsi.orgVisit source
- Reference 8NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 9LUPUSlupus.orgVisit source
- Reference 10CROHNSCOLITISFOUNDATIONcrohnscolitisfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 11ARTHRITISarthritis.orgVisit source
- Reference 12DATAdata.unicef.orgVisit source
- Reference 13UNODCunodc.orgVisit source
- Reference 14PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 15BMJbmj.comVisit source
- Reference 16FAOfao.orgVisit source