By 2023, global life expectancy has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with women living an average of 76.3 years and men 71.5 years, after a temporary decline caused by COVID-19.

The rapid aging of the global population and changing risk factors are creating new health challenges, prompting calls for strategic responses from governments and healthcare leaders.

Despite overall population growth, death rates among children and young adults have increased in certain regions, notably among ages 20-39 in North America due to suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol, and among ages 5-19 in Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa due to infectious diseases and injuries.

Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have surged globally, now significantly contributing to mortality rates.

The pandemic shifted COVID-19 from being the leading cause of death to the 20th position, while heart disease and stroke have regained prominence as primary causes of death.

Deaths from infectious diseases like measles, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis have significantly decreased worldwide, with noncommunicable diseases now accounting for about two-thirds of all deaths, including increases in diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer's.

A new report emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers to expand health priorities, especially for adolescents and young adults, and warns that cuts to international aid could reverse progress in low-income regions.

Childhood health risks such as iron deficiency, unsafe water, sanitation, and malnutrition remain prevalent, while for ages 15-49, unsafe sex, occupational injuries, high BMI, blood pressure, and smoking are major risks.

Environmental risks, including particulate matter pollution and lead exposure, along with issues like low birthweight and short gestation, significantly contribute to mortality.

Preventable risks like high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, and environmental pollutants are increasingly driving the global health burden, with disease burden from high BMI rising by 11% and high blood sugar by 6% since 2010.

Health inequities persist, with life expectancy varying widely across regions—from as high as 83 years in high-income countries to as low as 62 years in sub-Saharan Africa.