Global health patterns are changing rapidly, with noncommunicable diseases, dementia, mental health conditions and other chronic illnesses accounting for an increasing share of illness and death worldwide. The latest Global Health Estimates highlight how these shifts are reshaping health priorities and placing new demands on health systems, patients and families.
The new estimates by the WHO show that global life expectancy has largely recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 73.3 years in 2023, close to the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019. However, healthy life expectancy has recovered more slowly, highlighting the continuing challenge of ensuring that longer lives are also healthier lives.
A major finding is the growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In 2023, NCDs accounted for 74% of all deaths worldwide, compared with 58% in 2000, and eight of the ten leading causes of death were NCDs.
WHO also highlights important changes in the burden of specific conditions. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, while diabetes, dementia, mental health conditions and drug use disorders are contributing increasingly to loss of health and well-being. Alzheimer disease and other dementias became the fifth leading cause of death globally in 2023, compared with 19th in 2000, with global deaths from dementia tripling over this period.
From the patient perspective, these findings underline the need for health systems to adapt to the changing needs of populations. Longer lives must be accompanied by stronger prevention, earlier diagnosis, access to quality treatment, continuity of care, rehabilitation, mental health support and services for people living with chronic and multiple conditions.
WPA also believes that patients and patient organizations should be meaningfully involved in shaping health policies and services in response to these trends. Better health data is essential, but its real value lies in how it is used to improve patient outcomes, reduce inequalities and strengthen people-centred health systems.
The WHO estimates provide an important evidence base for governments and health partners to reassess priorities, strengthen health systems and ensure that future investments respond to the conditions that are increasingly affecting patients and families worldwide.