A study published in The Lancet reveals that global life expectancy has increased by 6.2 years since 1990, driven by reductions in death from leading causes like diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and heart disease. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has hindered progress in many regions. Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania saw the largest net gain in life expectancy due to improvements in chronic respiratory diseases and stroke. The study also highlights how COVID-19 changed the top five causes of death globally, displacing stroke. Progress against diseases like enteric diseases and lower respiratory infections has contributed to increased life expectancy worldwide. efforts to address non-communicable diseases like diabetes and kidney diseases need to be strengthened, especially in low-income countries.
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Life expectancy increased as world addressed major killers, though poor pandemic management slowed progress
