Ischaemic heart disease and stroke remained the world’s leading causes of death in 2023, according to the latest global mortality report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The report showed that non-communicable diseases continued to dominate the global health burden, accounting for eight of the 10 leading causes of death worldwide. Together, the 10 leading causes were responsible for approximately 33 million deaths in 2023, representing 54 per cent of the estimated 61 million deaths recorded globally during the year.
Ischaemic heart disease topped the list, claiming about 9.5 million lives in 2023. The disease accounted for approximately 16 per cent of all deaths worldwide.
Ischaemic heart disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. The condition can result in chest pain, heart failure, heart attacks and, in severe cases, death.
Although the WHO reported progress in reducing deaths associated with ischaemic heart disease in several parts of the world since 2000, it warned that significant inequalities in cardiovascular health remain across different populations.
The report noted that increased individual-level risks were recorded in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, highlighting the continuing disparities in access to cardiovascular prevention, treatment and other health services.
Stroke Remains Second Leading Cause
Stroke was ranked as the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 6.8 million deaths in 2023, or about 11 per cent of all deaths worldwide.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Without rapid medical intervention, a stroke can cause permanent disability or death.
The continued prominence of cardiovascular diseases among the leading causes of death reflects the significant impact of conditions linked to factors such as high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, obesity and other preventable risk factors.
The WHO has consistently emphasised the importance of prevention, early detection and effective management of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce premature deaths.
COPD, Respiratory Infections Also Major Killers
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the third leading cause of death globally in 2023, responsible for about 3.6 million deaths.
COPD is a chronic respiratory condition that restricts airflow and makes breathing increasingly difficult. Smoking remains a major risk factor, although exposure to air pollution, occupational hazards and other environmental factors can also contribute to the disease.
Lower respiratory infections ranked fourth, causing approximately 2.7 million deaths.
The disease burden associated with respiratory infections remains particularly significant among vulnerable populations, including young children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Dementia Rises Sharply
One of the most significant developments highlighted by the WHO report was the dramatic rise in deaths associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Dementia became the fifth leading cause of death globally in 2023, compared with 19th place in 2000.
Approximately 2.1 million people died from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in 2023, with the WHO reporting that deaths linked to dementia had tripled since 2000.
The increase has been associated largely with population ageing and the growing number of people living into older age.
Dementia is characterised by a decline in memory, thinking and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
The rising number of dementia-related deaths underscores the growing need for health systems to strengthen long-term care, support for older people and assistance for families caring for people living with cognitive impairment.
Non-Communicable Diseases Dominate Global Mortality
The WHO report showed that non-communicable diseases have become increasingly dominant among the major causes of death worldwide.
Eight of the 10 leading causes of death in 2023 were non-communicable diseases, which collectively accounted for 74 per cent of deaths globally.
This represented a substantial increase from 2000, when non-communicable diseases accounted for 58 per cent of all deaths.
In addition to ischaemic heart disease, stroke, COPD and dementia, other non-communicable diseases among the top 10 causes included diabetes, cancers of the trachea, bronchus and lung, hypertensive heart disease and kidney diseases.
Diarrhoeal diseases were also among the 10 leading causes of death.
The findings point to the changing nature of the global health burden, with populations in many countries increasingly affected by chronic diseases associated with ageing, lifestyle, environmental exposures and socioeconomic conditions.
Cardiovascular Diseases Remain Major Global Health Burden
According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide.
The organisation, however, noted that there had been substantial progress in reducing the burden of ischaemic heart disease since 2000 in many parts of the world.
The progress demonstrates the potential impact of prevention programmes, improved diagnosis, access to medicines and better treatment of cardiovascular conditions.
However, the WHO warned that progress has not been evenly distributed.
The differences between regions indicate that millions of people continue to face preventable risks because of inadequate access to healthcare, socioeconomic disadvantage and differences in exposure to major risk factors.
The organisation stressed that addressing these inequalities would be essential to further reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases.
Global Life Expectancy Recovers After COVID-19
The WHO report also highlighted a recovery in global life expectancy following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global life expectancy rose to 73.3 years in 2023, approaching the 73.4 years recorded in 2019, before the pandemic.
However, the recovery in overall life expectancy has not been matched by a full recovery in healthy life expectancy.
Healthy life expectancy stood at 62.8 years in 2023, which was 0.4 years lower than the level recorded in 2019.
The difference means that while people are living longer on average, they may spend a significant portion of their later years living with illness, disability or other health limitations.
COVID-19 Falls Out of Top 10
Another notable finding was the decline in COVID-19-related mortality.
For the first time since the pandemic began in 2020, COVID-19 was no longer among the world’s 10 leading causes of death in 2023.
The development reflects the substantial decline in deaths associated with the virus following the acute phase of the pandemic, improvements in immunity, vaccination and changes in the severity and management of infections.
Despite the decline, the WHO continues to emphasise the importance of preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks.
Prevention Remains Critical
The latest mortality figures underline the importance of prevention and early intervention in reducing deaths from the world’s leading diseases.
For cardiovascular diseases, measures such as controlling blood pressure, maintaining healthy diets, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and reducing harmful alcohol consumption can help lower individual risk.
At the health-system level, early diagnosis, affordable medicines and access to quality emergency and long-term care remain essential.
The WHO’s findings also demonstrate that the global health agenda must address both infectious and non-communicable diseases while responding to population ageing and widening health inequalities.
With more than half of all recorded deaths in 2023 attributable to the world’s 10 leading causes, the report highlights the scale of the challenge facing governments and health systems.
While improvements in life expectancy and reductions in some major causes of death represent important progress, the continued dominance of cardiovascular diseases, the rapid rise in dementia and persistent disparities between populations demonstrate that significant work remains to ensure people not only live longer but also enjoy healthier lives.
