About 1.2 billion people, 14% of the planet, experience mental health problems, nearly double the number recorded in 1990. The increase reflects improved detection and also entrenched poverty, wars, natural disasters, and disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents aged 15 to 19 and women of all ages experience the highest levels, especially anxiety and depression. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions. An epidemiology review across 200 countries from 1990 to 2023 estimates age-standardized prevalence rose 24% over three decades. Anxiety increased 65% and depression 41%, while eating disorders and autism spectrum disorders also rose. Sustained investment, wider access to care, and coordinated global action are needed.
"A study estimates that about 1.2 billion people 14% of the planet suffer from mental health problems. That is, in absolute terms, nearly double the number recorded in 1990. Experts attribute the rise in part to improved detection, but also say entrenched poverty, wars, the impact of natural disasters and disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have driven up the incidence of some disorders."
"Adolescents aged 15 to 19 and women of all ages are the hardest hit: they bear the highest levels, especially of anxiety and depression. According to the study, mental disorders are already the leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassing cardiovascular disease, cancer and musculoskeletal conditions. The new scientific review examined the epidemiology of a dozen psychiatric disorders in 200 countries between 1990 and 2023."
"The new scientific review estimates that the age-standardized prevalence of these conditions increased by 24% over three decades. Anxiety grew the most (up 65%) and depression by 41%, but eating disorders (between 17% and 22%) and autism spectrum disorders (21%) also rose. Addressing the surge in anxiety and depression, which peaked after the COVID health crisis, Damian Santomauro says these upward trends may reflect both the enduring effects of pandemic-related stress and long-term structural factors."
"In a statement, the scientist warns: Tackling this growing challenge will require sustained investment in mental health systems, wider access to care and coordinated global action to provide better support for the most vulnerable populations. The wave of poor mental health has spread across the globe. There are regional differences, but the upward trend"
#global-mental-health #anxiety-and-depression #epidemiology #disability-burden #poverty-and-conflict
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