Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report detailing the profound health repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a 1.8-year reduction in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2022. This setback has not only slowed global health progress but also increased anxiety and depression, further reducing healthy life expectancy by six weeks. The report underscores the pandemic’s impact on previously achieved advancements in reducing non-communicable disease mortality.
Impact on Life Expectancy
The WHO report reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a significant decrease in global life expectancy. This decline is attributed to increased mortality from the virus itself, as well as indirect consequences such as reduced access to healthcare services for other conditions. Moreover, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, further diminishing overall life expectancy.
Uneven Health Progress
The WHO has also highlighted uneven progress towards the 2019-2025 plan’s goals, which aim to extend universal health coverage to 1 billion more people, enhance protection against health emergencies for another billion, and improve the health and well-being of 1 billion more. While some advancements have been made—such as reduced tobacco consumption, improved air quality, and better access to water, sanitation, and hygiene—progress remains slow in essential health service coverage and emergency preparedness.
Stagnating Maternal and Child Mortality Rates
The report laments that maternal and child mortality rates are not decreasing rapidly enough to meet global objectives. This slow progress is linked to insufficient investment in primary healthcare, a shortage of skilled health personnel, and deficiencies in immunization and safe delivery services. These issues have reversed two decades of progress, during which maternal mortality decreased by over 40% and under-five mortality dropped by more than half.
If these deficiencies are not addressed by 2030, the WHO warns that the world risks preventing 700,000 maternal deaths and 8 million under-five deaths by then.
Rising Non-Communicable Disease Mortality
The data also indicates an increase in premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular ailments, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. This trend is partly due to population growth and aging, accounting for most deaths among those under 70.
Air Pollution and Health
The WHO report emphasizes that air pollution remains a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with over 6.7 million deaths attributed to it in 2022.
Declining Incidence of HIV and Tuberculosis
On a positive note, the report highlights the decrease in HIV and tuberculosis incidence. Additionally, fewer people now require treatment for neglected tropical diseases.
Resurgence of Malaria and Antimicrobial Resistance
However, malaria cases have risen since 2015, and antimicrobial resistance has been identified as a significant challenge. The WHO also notes that global immunization rates for children have yet to fully recover from the pandemic’s impact, with many countries lagging in addressing health risks like malnutrition, air pollution, and insecure living conditions.
Funding Interruptions
Recent disruptions in international funding, particularly in countries with high medical needs, threaten to undermine these achievements. These nations urgently require sustained and predictable financial resources to safeguard gains and counter emerging threats, such as healthcare professional shortages. By 2030, an estimated 11.1 million healthcare professionals will be needed worldwide, with nearly 70% of the shortage concentrated in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Importance of Reliable Health Information
WHO’s Health Data and Analytics Unit head, Haidong Wang, stressed the importance of reliable health information for robust health systems. This data enables better decision-making and quicker results, supporting countries through strategies like SCORE to strengthen health information systems and the WHO’s World Health Data Hub for standardizing, enhancing, and maximizing data utilization globally.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main finding of the WHO report? The Covid-19 pandemic has reduced global life expectancy by 1.8 years, slowed health progress, and increased mental health issues.
- How has the pandemic affected non-communicable disease mortality? There has been a rise in premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, partly due to population growth and aging.
- What is the current status of air pollution as a health concern? Air pollution remains a leading preventable cause of death, with over 6.7 million deaths attributed to it in 2022.
- How are maternal and child mortality rates faring? These rates are not decreasing rapidly enough to meet global objectives, hampered by insufficient investment in primary healthcare and skilled personnel shortages.
- What challenges does the health sector face regarding funding and workforce? There is a projected shortage of 11.1 million healthcare professionals by 2030, with a significant concentration in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
