Here's the truth: some countries still struggle in terms of mortality rate. But based on the new data provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, people worldwide are actually living longer. In fact, our life span has increased to about 6 years since 1990, or more than 20 years ago.
The actual extension to life span varies from one country to another. For example, in the United States, the average life expectancy has increased to over 3 years within the mentioned period.
Much has changed, however, when it comes to the main causes of death since 1990. While the top 2 spots are still occupied by heart disease and stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) moved up from 5th to 3rd place by 2013. Pneumonia slid down to fourth.
We have been making marked improvements in preventing complications in premature birth; although this was 7th in 1990, it was not among the top 10 in 2013.Tuberculosis has significantly declined in 2013 from 6th place to 10th place. Malaria and diseases caused by diarrhea, which used to hold the 4th and 10th spot in 1990, are no longer found in 2013. Contrary to popular belief, there's only one type of cancer that made it to the list: lung cancer.
However, more people are getting sick of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, which were not part of the 1990 list. Rounding up the 2013 list are HIV/AIDS and road injuries, which are also found in 1990 list.
Many deaths have also been caused by chronic kidney disease and substance abuse, although they didn't make it to the 2013 top 10 list. When it comes to cancer, aside from lung cancer, kidney and pancreatic cancers have become the major sources of deaths around the world.
To come up with these data, over 600 researchers participated in the consortium. Information in country level has also been included.
The entire study is available since Thursday, December 18, in Lancet.