The health status of its population is a key determinant of a country’s social and economic development. Understanding disease morbidity, mortality, disability, and the related impact on life expectancy is a fundamental pillar for building resilient health systems and more equitable societies. Such knowledge informs strategic planning and optimal resource allocation to effectively address health challenges, making health systems more responsive to the needs of the populations they serve.
Globally, there were 55.4 million deaths in 2019, representing an 8% increase in mortality compared to the baseline in 2000. Notably, the Americas experienced a comparatively higher mortality with a 31% increase in the number of deaths over this period. Compared to 2000, where 87% of all deaths and 82% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the Americas were due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and external causes, by 2019 these had increased to 90% of all deaths and 89% of all DALYs.
This report Leading causes of death and disease burden in the Americas: Noncommunicable diseases and external causes presents an in-depth analysis on life expectancy and mortality in the Americas, exploring the burden of disease throughout the life course. It focuses on NCDs, encompassing mental and substance use disorders, neurological conditions, and external causes during the period 2000–2019.
The report comprises three chapters, with Chapter 1 providing an overview of the global distribution of communicable diseases; maternal, perinatal, and nutritional conditions; and NCDs and external causes. This chapter then evaluates the situation in the Americas, detailing inequalities, comparative analyses, and trends across the subregions, stratified by age and gender. In Chapter 2, the focus shifts to mortality and disease burden across the life course for NCDs and external causes, with a more in-depth analysis of six groups of conditions, namely, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental and substance use disorders and neurological conditions, and external causes, which account for the majority of deaths and disability in the Americas. Chapter 3 synthesizes key findings and suggests key approaches for action.
Despite a trend to overall increased life expectancy, NCDs and external causes remain a major challenge to social and economic development in the Region of the Americas, requiring public health solutions, health systems innovations, and political interventions to bring about the required changes. Rapidly aging populations and related demographic shifts, increasing disease burdens, and widening gaps in equity demand accelerated actions to tackle NCDs and mental health conditions. This report provides evidence urgently needed for decisive actions, so that the Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved by the countries of the Americas.
Anselm Hennis,
Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health
