Global Decline in Chronic Disease Mortality Shows Signs of Slowing Progress

Recent research published in The Lancet indicates that while mortality rates from chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and neurological disorders have decreased in nearly 80% of countries worldwide over the past decade, the pace of this decline is gradually slowing down. The comprehensive analysis, led by experts from Imperial College London, highlights that in the period from 2010 to 2019, many nations experienced a deceleration in the reduction of death rates related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Notably, high-income countries—including those in Europe, North America, Australasia, and the Pacific—showed a significant slowdown, with the United States marked as one of the poorer performers among developed nations. These findings come ahead of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly, underscoring an urgent need for enhanced investments and strategic approaches to address chronic diseases more effectively. Despite the global decrease, the trend signals a critical juncture requiring intensified efforts to sustain and accelerate progress in reducing preventable mortality caused by non-communicable diseases.