Diarrhea main killer of kids under 5, adults above 70: Study

Diarrhea remains one of the leading killers of children under five and the elderly, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, despite significant progress in reducing global deaths from the disease, a study has revealed.

A recent study published in The Lancet highlights that diarrheal diseases accounted for 1.2 million deaths worldwide in 2021, down from 2.9 million in 1990—a 60% reduction.

This study, part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) initiative coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, is the most comprehensive assessment of diarrhea-related mortality to date, as per the researchers.

The findings underscore the impact of health interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, improved sanitation, and global vaccination programs against rotavirus, a major cause of disrrheal infections.

Children Under Five Most Affected

The study revealed that children under five years old experienced the largest decline in deaths from diarrhea, thanks to targeted health measures. However, this age group still bears the highest mortality rate globally.

In sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, over 150 deaths per 1,00,000 population were recorded among children under five, marking the region as the worst-affected.

South Asia showed a similar concern but with the highest mortality rate observed among individuals aged 70 and older, at 476 deaths per 1,00,000 population.

Diarrhea is now recognised as a leading cause of death across all age groups, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly.

The Lancet study emphasised the importance of preventive measures targeting key risk factors and infection-causing microbes to further reduce the global burden of diarrheal diseases.

“The new granular-level analysis in our study can help decision-makers better target and prioritize evidence-based strategies to fight diarrheal diseases,” said Dr Hmwe Hmwe Kyu, an associate professor at IHME and co-author of the study.