Study highlights heavy global burden of infectious diseases

A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases highlights the substantial impact of infectious diseases on global health. The analysis of data from 204 countries by researchers with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that 85 pathogens accounted for 704 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)—the number of years lost from ill health, disability, or early deaths—globally in 2019. That figure accounts for 28% of 2.54 billion DALYs attributed to all causes in the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The impact of these pathogens was disproportionately seen in children. Nearly 44% of the DALYs attributed to pathogens (309 million) in 2019 occurred in children under the age of 5 years. According to the World Health Organization, one DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one full year of health. The study authors say their methodologic approach captures the full impact of pathogens on mortality and disability and is the most...