GENEVA: The latest edition of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s annual World Health Statistics report for 2023, based on data up to 2022, points out alarming stagnation of health progress in recent years as compared to the positive trends of 2000-2015 period and also warns of the growing threat posed by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change, calling for a coordinated and strengthened response.
It provides new insights into the impact of the Covid-9 pandemic and updated statistics on progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One of the significant findings of the report is the updated assessment of the toll exacted by the pandemic on global health, further hindering progress towards the SDGs. From 2020 to 2021, Covid-19 caused an astonishing loss of 336.8 million years of life worldwide. This translates to an average of 22 years of life lost for each excess death, abruptly cutting short the lives of millions of individuals in a tragic manner.
The pandemic has not only derailed numerous health-related indicators, but also exacerbated inequalities in access to high-quality healthcare, routine immunisations, and financial protection. Consequently, the positive trends observed in combating malaria and tuberculosis (TB) have been reversed, and fewer individuals received treatment for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, commented on the report, stating, "The World Health Statistics is WHO's annual check-up on the state of the world's health. The report sends a stark message on the threat of noncommunicable diseases, which take an immense and increasing toll on lives, livelihoods, health systems, communities, economies, and societies. The report calls for a substantial increase in investments in health and health systems to get back on track towards the Sustainable Development Goals."
Despite overall advancements in healthcare, the proportion of annual deaths caused by NCDs has steadily risen, now accounting for nearly three-quarters of all lives lost each year. If this trend persists, NCDs are projected to contribute to approximately 86 percent of the 90 million annual deaths by the middle of the century, resulting in 77 million deaths due to NCDs—a nearly 90pc increase since 2019.
More recent trends indicate a slowdown in the annual rate of reduction (ARR) for several indicators. For instance, the global maternal mortality ratio must decline by 11.6pc annually between 2021 and 2030 to meet the SDG target. Similarly, the net reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2021 has only reached one-fifth of the milestone set by WHO's End TB Strategy for 2025.
Of great concern is the escalating prevalence of obesity, showing no immediate signs of reversal. Moreover, the expansion of access to essential health services has decelerated compared to the gains made before 2015, coupled with negligible progress in reducing financial burdens arising from healthcare costs. These factors severely impede our ability to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Dr Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact, issues a warning, stating, "The Covid-19 pandemic is an important reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. To stay on track towards the 2030 SDG agenda, we must act decisively and collectively to deliver a measurable impact in all countries."
Timely, reliable, and disaggregated data are crucial in tracking progress and enhancing national and global health policies across all relevant areas.
