"Global Life Expectancy Soared Since 1990, But Pandemic Halts Gains"
A new study by the Lancet reveals that global life expectancy increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2021, driven by reductions in deaths from various diseases, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused a net reduction of 1.6 years in life expectancy between 2019 and 2021. Ischemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death, with Covid-19 becoming the second-leading cause. The pandemic had varying impacts on different regions, with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania seeing the greatest net gain in life expectancy, while Latin America and the Caribbean experienced the largest decline. The study highlights both progress and setbacks in global health, emphasizing the significant impact of the pandemic on life expectancy worldwide.