COVID-19 Reversed a Decade of Progress in Global Life Expectancy

WHO reports that the pandemic reduced life expectancy by nearly two years, with significant regional disparities.

Global life expectancy fell to 71.4 years, the same level as in 2012.
Healthy life expectancy also dropped to 61.9 years, back to 2012 levels.
The Americas and Southeast Asia saw the largest declines, losing about 3 years in life expectancy.
Noncommunicable diseases remained the leading cause of death, accounting for 78% of non-COVID-related deaths.
The pandemic highlighted existing health inequities, particularly affecting people with disabilities, migrants, and refugees.