ISTANBUL 

Heart disease and other familiar health threats are once again the leading causes of death worldwide, surpassing COVID-19, according to a new study on Sunday.

The study, published in The Lancet, stated that heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ranked as the top causes of death in 2023, while COVID-19 fell from the world’s leading killer in 2021 to the 20th spot in just two years.

Deaths from infectious diseases, including measles and tuberculosis, have declined, while non-communicable chronic conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and drug use disorders are increasing.

Researchers cautioned that while these slow-moving health threats may receive less attention than global crises, their impact on public health and well-being is still substantial.

The report also highlighted that young adults in North America are increasingly dying from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related illnesses.

Other causes of death displayed notable differences between men and women, particularly for fatalities from conflict and terrorism in certain regions.

The global average age at death rose from 46.8 years in 1990 to 63.4 years in 2023, with women living longer than men.

The highest life expectancy was recorded in high-income regions, where women reached 80.9 years and men 74.8 years, while the lowest was in sub-Saharan Africa, at 38.0 years for women and 35.6 years for men.

“There is an ever-present need for strengthened health-care systems that are resilient to future pandemics and the shifting burden of disease, particularly among ageing populations in regions with high mortality rates,” the study said.

Researchers noted that accurate estimates of causes of death are becoming increasingly vital for shaping health priorities and advancing global health equity.

“The need for global collaboration to reduce preventable mortality is more important than ever, as shifting burdens of disease are affecting all nations, albeit at different paces and scales,” the study added.