New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes have emerged as the top contributors to mortality and disability on a global scale, as revealed by a recent study published in The Lancet on Monday.

This comprehensive study, which analyzed the latest findings from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and was presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, indicates a significant shift in the causes of death from infectious diseases to NCDs, which now represent almost two-thirds of total mortality and morbidity worldwide.

Among the leading causes of death and disability globally, including in India, are ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Other notable contributors include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and neonatal disorders.

In contrast, diarrhoeal diseases, which were the dominant cause of death in 1990 with an age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) of 300.53 per lakh population, have been surpassed by ischemic heart disease in 2023, which now accounts for the highest mortality with an ASMR of 127.82 per lakh population.

Interestingly, the Covid-19 pandemic, which topped the death charts in 2021, has significantly dropped to 20th place in 2023, trailing behind chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and neonatal disorders, according to the findings.

Researchers noted that nearly half of all deaths and disabilities could be mitigated by addressing key risk factors, such as high blood sugar and elevated body mass index (BMI).

Dr. Christopher Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine, remarked, 'The rapid increase in the aging global population and changing risk factors present new challenges for global health.'

He added, 'The insights from the Global Burden of Disease study serve as a critical alert, calling on government and health leaders to take immediate and strategic action in response to these concerning trends affecting public health.'

This study encompasses estimates for 375 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors, categorized by age and sex across the globe, utilizing data from 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations from 1990 to 2023.

Despite population growth and aging trends, the 2023 global age-standardised mortality rate has seen a remarkable 67 percent decline since 1950, with reductions observed in all countries and territories.

Global life expectancy has returned to pre-pandemic figures, standing at 76.3 years for females and 71.5 years for males, which is over 20 years longer than in 1950. Additionally, the global infant mortality rate has also seen a decline.

However, the most significant surge in deaths occurred among adolescents and young adults, primarily due to suicide, drug overdose, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Persistent challenges such as lead exposure, air pollution, and extreme heat continue to have a substantial impact on global health.

Alarmingly, there has been a sharp rise in mental health disorders, with anxiety disorders increasing by 63 percent and depressive disorders by 26 percent, according to the study.

Moreover, factors like sexual abuse and intimate partner violence have been recognized as preventable contributors to mental health issues.