The top 10 causes of death

Global Causes of Death in 2021

In 2021, there were a total of 68 million deaths worldwide. The top 10 causes of death accounted for 39 million deaths, which is 57% of the total. These causes can be grouped into three categories: communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries. The leading causes of death globally are primarily related to cardiovascular and respiratory issues, with COVID-19 emerging as the second leading cause of death.

Leading Causes of Death Globally

At a global level, noncommunicable diseases accounted for 7 out of the top 10 causes of death in 2021. These diseases were responsible for 38% of all deaths, or 68% of the top 10 causes. The leading cause of death globally is ischaemic heart disease, followed by COVID-19, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lower respiratory infections, trachea/bronchus/lung cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and diabetes are also among the top causes of death.

Leading Causes of Death by Income Group

Low-Income Countries

In low-income countries, communicable diseases are the leading causes of death. Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain in the top 10 causes of death, although there has been a significant decrease in deaths from these diseases since 2000. Diarrhoeal diseases are also a significant cause of death in low-income countries. COVID-19 ranks sixth in terms of causes of death in this income group.

Lower-Middle-Income Countries

Lower-middle-income countries have a more balanced distribution of causes of death, with 5 noncommunicable and 5 communicable diseases in the top 10. COVID-19 is the leading cause of death in this income group, followed by ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Tuberculosis and diarrhoeal diseases remain significant challenges, but there has been a decrease in deaths from these diseases since 2000.

Upper-Middle-Income Countries

In upper-middle-income countries, there has been a notable increase in deaths from lung cancer and stomach cancer. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are also leading causes of death in this income group. COVID-19 ranks eighth in terms of causes of death. Lower respiratory infections are the only communicable disease in the top 10 causes of death for upper-middle-income countries.

High-Income Countries

In high-income countries, deaths are increasing for most of the top 10 causes of death, primarily due to population ageing. Ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and stomach cancer are among the causes of death that have seen a decrease in numbers since 2000. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias have seen a dramatic increase in deaths. COVID-19 ranks second in terms of causes of death in high-income countries.

Importance of Knowing the Reasons for Death

Understanding the causes of death is crucial for improving people’s lives. It helps assess the effectiveness of health systems and directs resources to where they are most needed. Mortality data can also inform policies and resource allocation in various sectors, such as transportation, food and agriculture, and the environment. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of investing in civil registration and vital statistics systems to track deaths and prevent and treat diseases effectively.

The World Health Organization develops standards and best practices for data collection and analysis through the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This ensures that countries can generate and use health information that conforms to international standards. Collecting high-quality data on deaths and causes of death is essential for improving global health and reducing mortality and disability.

References:

1. The World Bank. World Bank Country and Lending Groups. https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
   • Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
– Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
– Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators are:
– Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
– Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.
– Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
– Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

These indicators can be used to track progress in reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, promoting mental health and well-being, reducing inequalities, and promoting effective partnerships.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Please refer to the table above for the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: who.int