The “top” ailments in the world can be measured in two ways: by mortality (number of deaths caused) and by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which combines years of life lost due to premature death with years lost due to living with disability or illness. Here are the top 10 according to both metrics:
Top 10 by Mortality (2019)
- Ischemic heart disease: This is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 8.9 million deaths in 2019. It is a type of coronary artery disease caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart. my.clevelandclinic.org Ischemic heart disease
- Stroke: Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 5.5 million deaths in 2019. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). wwww.healthline.com Stroke
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritants in the lungs, such as cigarette smoke or air pollution. my.clevelandclinic.org Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Lower respiratory infections: Lower respiratory infections are infections of the lower respiratory tract, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis. www.mdpi.com Lower respiratory infections
- Neonatal conditions: Neonatal conditions are complications that occur during the first 28 days of life. These can include birth defects, premature birth, and complications during delivery. www.slideshare.net Neonatal conditions
Top 10 by DALYs (2019)
- Neonatological conditions: This category encompasses various complications that occur in newborns during the first month of life, including prematurity, birth defects, and infections.
- Ischemic heart disease: Similar to the mortality ranking, ischemic heart disease remains the top cause of disability and lost years of healthy life globally.
- Stroke: As with mortality, stroke also ranks highly in terms of DALYs, highlighting the significant burden of this condition on individuals and healthcare systems.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD’s impact extends beyond mortality, causing significant disability and reduced quality of life for many individuals.
- Lower respiratory infections: These infections, particularly in children, contribute substantially to lost years of healthy life globally.
It’s important to note that these rankings can change over time, and the specific burden of disease varies depending on factors such as age, location, and socioeconomic status. Additionally, this list does not include mental health conditions, which are also a significant global health concern.