In a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) there has been a drop in global life expectancy by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021, the biggest decline in recent history.

According to the World Health Statistics 2025 report, the pandemic not only took lives but also severely affected the quality of life around the world.

The report revealed that increased cases of anxiety and depression during the pandemic cut healthy life expectancy by six weeks globally.

These mental health issues wiped out many of the earlier gains made in reducing deaths from chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

HEALTH PROGRESS HAS SLOWED WORLDWIDE

The report shows a mixed picture of health progress. While some progress has been made, such as 1.4 billion more people living healthier lives due to reduced tobacco use, better air quality, and improved access to water and sanitation, there is a worrying slowdown in other areas.

Access to essential health services has not improved fast enough. Only 431 million more people were able to get necessary health services without facing financial hardship, and just 637 million had better protection against health emergencies.

These numbers fall short of global health goals and show the strain health systems are still under, as per WHO.

CHILDBIRTH AND CHILD DEATHS STILL A CONCERN

The report warns that maternal and child deaths are not declining fast enough. While great progress was made between 2000 and 2023, with maternal deaths falling by over 40% and under-five deaths more than halved, that progress has now stalled.

WHO researchers pointed this to under-funded healthcare systems, lack of trained staff, and gaps in critical services like vaccinations and safe childbirth.

If immediate action isn’t taken, the report cautioned, the world could see an additional 700,000 maternal deaths and 8 million child deaths under age 5 between now and 2030.

CHRONIC ILLNESSES NOW A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

Diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, known as non-communicable diseases, are now the leading cause of death among people under 70 globally.

These deaths are increasing due to ageing populations and poor lifestyle habits. While tobacco and alcohol use have gone down in recent years, more efforts are needed to address rising non-communicable deaths and air pollution, which continues to be one of the top preventable killers.

MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH WORKER SHORTAGE STILL A CHALLENGE

Mental health conditions continue to hold back global health progress. At the same time, the world is facing a projected shortage of 11.1 million health workers by 2030, especially in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

WHO said building strong health systems depends on fixing this shortage and investing in trained medical staff.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROGRESS UNEVEN

There has been progress in reducing new cases of HIV, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.

However, malaria cases have been rising since 2015, and antimicrobial resistance remains a major public health threat.

Childhood vaccination rates still haven’t bounced back to pre-Covid levels, putting many young lives at risk.

Basic issues like malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, and polluted air continue to harm health, especially in low-income countries.

WHO also warned that cuts to international aid could undo much of the progress made in recent decades.

“This report shows that the world is failing its health check-up,” said Dr. Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General. “But it also shows that progress is possible if countries act quickly and make smart investments.”

WHO is urging governments to act with urgency, improve health systems, ensure access to essential services, and invest in reliable health data to guide better decisions. Without strong and timely action, the world risks falling far behind on its health targets.

“Behind every data point is a person, a child who didn’t reach their fifth birthday, a mother lost in childbirth, a life cut short by a preventable disease,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“These are avoidable tragedies,” he added.