Lancet Commission identifies 17 major global health threats through 2100

global health threats The Lancet Commission existential risks artificial intelligence nuclear conflict

A Lancet Commission, in collaboration with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, has identified 17 major global health threats facing humanity through the year 2100. The study, presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, utilized mathematical modeling to estimate the impact of these threats using disability-adjusted life years (DALY).

Among the 17 identified risks, two are highlighted for their potential to cause human extinction: the malicious use of artificial intelligence—including its application in creating biological weapons—and nuclear conflict, which could lead to a nuclear winter and subsequent global famine. Other significant threats include climate change, antimicrobial resistance, air pollution, pandemics, malnutrition, obesity, hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, mental health issues, and rising income inequality.

Researchers emphasize that while the probability of extinction-level events remains low, the potential consequences are catastrophic. The commission stresses that the decisions made by global leaders today are critical to mitigating these risks and protecting the health and well-being of future generations.

Entities

Christopher J. L. Murray · Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation · Natalia Kanem · The Lancet · The Lancet Commission on Global Health Threats in the 21st Century · University of Washington

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] A scientific team identified 17 major global health threats facing humanity by the end of the century. makpress.mk · trn.mk · www.novilist.hr · www.obekti.bg · www.futurezone.de · +3 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Decisions made by leaders today will impact the health and well-being of future generations. makpress.mk · trn.mk · www.novilist.hr · www.obekti.bg · echosante.info · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Researchers used modeling to estimate potential deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) from 2025 to 2100. makpress.mk · www.obekti.bg · www.futurezone.de · www.novilist.hr · www.t-online.de · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Nuclear conflict is the second threat identified with the potential to cause human extinction, potentially through nuclear winter and famine. makpress.mk · trn.mk · www.novilist.hr · www.futurezone.de · www.t-online.de · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Malicious use of artificial intelligence is one of two threats that could potentially lead to human extinction by 2100. makpress.mk · trn.mk · www.novilist.hr · www.futurezone.de · www.t-online.de · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Artificial intelligence could be used to create new biological weapons. makpress.mk · trn.mk · www.novilist.hr · www.t-online.de · magazin.aktualne.cz
[● 2 SOURCES] The commission examined several hundred possible dangers. www.futurezone.de · www.t-online.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] A threat is considered catastrophic if it can cause at least one billion lost healthy life years by 2100. www.futurezone.de