A newly released World Health Statistics report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed significant setbacks to global health and longevity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report shows that between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy dropped by 1.8 years the steepest decline in recent history effectively reversing a decade’s worth of progress.

The report also highlights a rise in mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, which contributed to a six-week reduction in global healthy life expectancy.

These mental health challenges offset gains previously made from reduced mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the same period.

The annual WHO report, which compiles the latest data on global health indicators, warns that progress on several key health measures has slowed, urging governments to take immediate and accountable action to reverse the trend.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the human toll behind the statistics, noting that every data point reflects a personal tragedy from preventable child deaths to maternal mortality and lives lost to curable diseases.

He stressed the need for governments to close existing gaps in access, equity, and investment, particularly for women and girls.

Despite these challenges, the report notes that an estimated 1.4 billion more people were living healthier lives by the end of 2024 exceeding the global target of 1 billion.

This progress was attributed to reductions in tobacco use, better air quality, and improved access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services.

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