WHO reports rise in noncommunicable diseases as global death causes shift

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a significant shift in the global health landscape, with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for 74 per cent of deaths globally in 2023, up from 58 per cent in 2000. Eight of the world’s ten leading causes of death are now classified as NCDs, including diabetes, dementia, mental health conditions, and drug use disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the primary cause of death and disease burden worldwide. Ischaemic heart disease alone was responsible for approximately 9.5 million deaths in 2023. While global life expectancy has recovered to 73.3 years in 2023, it remains slightly below the 2019 level of 73.4 years. Healthy life expectancy has seen a slower recovery, reaching 62.8 years, which is 0.4 years below 2019 levels.

In low-income countries, the epidemiological transition is evident as communicable diseases accounted for less than half of all deaths for the first time in 2023.