The World Health organisation in its latest World Health Statistics reported over 759 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nearly 6.9 million reported COVID-19 deaths globally up to March 11, 2023. However, the true toll of the COVID-19pandemic is significantly higher as it has indirectly affected mortality through mechanisms such as disruptions to health-care services and changes in care-seeking behaviours,
Of the 6.9 million reported deaths, 43% were reported in the Americas, making it the region hardest hit by the pandemic. The WHO European and South-East Asia regions accounted for 32% and 12% of deaths respectively. Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean and Africa reported many fewer deaths due to COVID-19 during the same period, accounting for a combined 14% of the global total.
With Covid 19 pandemic changing the world health sector dramatically, the World Health Organisation (WHO) demonstrated the importance of a strong health-care system and universal health-care coverage among countries. Moreover, it showed the need for close collaboration between countries.
The WHO revealed this in its latest World Health Statistics check-up covering data up to 2022.The report documents updated statistics on the toll of the pandemic on global health. During 2020-2021, COVID-19 resulted in 336.8 million years of life lost globally. This equates to an average of 22 years of life lost for every excess death, abruptly and tragically cutting short the lives of millions.
In the statistics, the WHO said that countries that are better equipped and better staffed are well positioned to weather the pandemic and to minimize the mortality toll. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation among regions and countries, and between private and public sectors.
The UN Agency also noted that the pandemic revealed the inequality of access to health-care systems. This was especially among vulnerable populations and in developing nations. In addition, the pandemic exposed inequality in health emergency preparedness around the world. Much needs to be done, and urgently, by countries and the international community to make sure that more people around the globe have access to health-care services and are protected from health emergencies so that they may enjoy healthier lives.
THE AGE AND DEATH
The statistics showed 0.7 million excess deaths in the age group of 25–44 years. An estimated 31% of the global excess deaths occurred in ages between 45 and 64 years (4.6 million). Similarly, 46% of global excess deaths (6.8 million) occurred between 65 and 84 years. The oldest age group, 85 years and above, accounted for 18% of excess deaths globally (2.7 million)
COVID-19 VACCINES AND ASSOCIATED INEQUALITY
About 13 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered globally as of March 2023. Hopwever, the WHO points out that vaccination coverage vary greatly by country.
Across high-income countries, median vaccination levels across the most-to-least educated groups were 87.4%, 83.8% and 81.0% respectively. Across upper-middle-income countries, median vaccination levels across the most-to-least educated groups were 75.5%, 66.7% and 57.6% respectively. In low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries, the median self-reported receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine was higher among the most educated group at 63.9%. It was low in the two less educated groups (51%).
