Translated with AI
The World Health Organization warns that progress in global health has slowed. On Thursday, the WHO published a new report that reveals the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on longevity and health, the UN press service reported.
The report, in particular, states that in just two years, from 2019 to 2021, life expectancy in the world has decreased by 1.8 years. This is the largest decline in this indicator in modern history.
“Behind every piece of data there is a person – a child who died before reaching their fifth birthday, a mother who lost her life in childbirth, a life cut short by a preventable disease,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Many health goals have not been achieved The World Health Statistics 2025 report shows mixed results in achieving WHO’s “triple billion” targets for improved health. It estimates that 1.4 billion more people will be living healthier lives by the end of 2024, surpassing the 1 billion target. Progress has been driven by reductions in tobacco use, improved air quality, and increased access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation.
However, progress in expanding access to essential health services and protecting people in emergencies has fallen short of targets. For example, the number of people with access to basic health care has increased by 431 million, well short of the 1 billion target.
Maternal and child mortality are not falling fast enough. Progress has stalled after significant gains: between 2000 and 2023, maternal mortality fell by more than 40 percent and under-5 mortality was more than halved. But limited investment in primary health care, shortages of skilled health workers, and gaps in services such as immunization and safe delivery are currently holding back progress.
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death Premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer are rising. They now account for the majority of deaths among people under 70. The world is currently off track to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by 2030.
Progress has been made possible where governments and civil society have taken action: tobacco use is declining, as is alcohol consumption, which fell from 5.7 litres of pure alcohol per capita per year to 5 litres between 2010 and 2022.
Air pollution remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Mental health is also a factor. Anxiety and depression can reduce healthy life expectancy by six weeks.
Uneven progress in the fight against infectious diseases Rates of HIV, tuberculosis and tropical diseases are declining. But since 2015, malaria has been on the rise again. And antimicrobial resistance remains a serious problem.
In 2023, childhood vaccination rates have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. In particular, many children have not received the third dose of the diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus vaccine. Many countries are also lagging in reducing health risks such as malnutrition, air pollution, and unsafe living conditions.
The latest disruptions to international aid threaten to destabilise progress even further. Stable funding is needed to protect hard-won gains in health, the WHO says.
“This report shows that the world has failed its health test. But countries have shown that rapid progress is possible,” said Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General.
“Together, we can achieve a world where data is more timely and accurate, programs are continually improved, and premature deaths are rare… Every country can make significant progress,” she added.
