In today’s world, the prevalence of illness seems inescapable, with many individuals appearing to suffer from various health issues. Hospitals are overflowing and getting a doctor’s appointment is a challenge everywhere, from rich countries to poorer ones.
With the global population surpassing 8 billion, the number of people dealing with health problems is staggering. According to a report by Science Direct, more than 95% of the people in the world are grappling with health issues, with approximately 33% struggling with more than five different conditions.
According to the 2013 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study published in The Lancet, only 4.3% of the world’s population was reported to be completely healthy. In the last few years, the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the situation as the number of those struggling with health issues might be even higher today.
Between 1990 and 2013, researchers analysed 35,620 sources related to diseases from 188 countries, uncovering some startling revelations about global health. Their findings show that a significant portion of the world’s population is grappling with illness.
The most frequently reported conditions include lower back pain, depression, anemia, sore throat, and age-related hearing loss. Around 50% of people are experiencing declining health due to musculoskeletal disorders and mental health or substance abuse disorders.
In 2013, experts warned of a rapid increase in diabetes, which is now proving to be accurate, as the prevalence of this chronic condition continues to rise. According to the Diabetes Atlas report, in the last 10 years, the number of diabetes patients has increased rapidly, with 53 crore individuals suffering from the condition worldwide.
It is quite evident that new diseases are emerging much faster than medical science can keep up, posing a significant challenge to maintaining good health in today’s world.
