Iran has made significant strides in improving the health of its children and adolescents over the past three decades. A recent study utilizing Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data highlights substantial decreases in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL), and years lost to disability (YLD) among individuals under 20 years old across the country’s provinces.
Positive Trends Across Health Metrics
The analysis reveals a remarkable 79.8% reduction in DALYs and an 89.3% decrease in YLL rates from 1990 to 2021. YLDs also declined by 6.2%, indicating fewer years lived with disability among the youth population. These improvements span across major health categories, including communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNDs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and injuries. The consistent downward trend points to effective public health interventions and enhanced healthcare services throughout Iran.
Challenges Persist with Non-Communicable Diseases
Despite the overall progress, the study identifies a concerning rise in YLDs related to NCDs, increasing from 3,733.4 to 4,036.1 per 100,000 population. Mental disorders significantly contribute to this uptrend, becoming the leading cause of DALYs in 2021 with a rate of 5,666.2 per 100,000 people. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated certain health issues, including mental health challenges, respiratory infections, and tuberculosis, altering the disease landscape in Iran.
• Mental health initiatives require urgent scaling to address the rising burden of NCDs.
• Strengthening mental health services could mitigate the increase in YLDs.
• Continued focus on reducing CMNNDs and injuries remains essential for sustaining overall health improvements.
• Regional disparities have lessened, indicating more equitable healthcare access across provinces.
The reduction in health burdens across Iran’s provinces over thirty years underscores the effectiveness of nationwide health policies and resource allocation. However, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly mental health issues, signals the need for targeted strategies to address these emerging challenges. Integrating mental health services into primary healthcare and investing in prevention programs could help reverse the upward trend in YLDs associated with NCDs.
Addressing the complexities of mental health will require comprehensive approaches that include community-based interventions, enhanced training for healthcare providers, and increased public awareness. Additionally, monitoring the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth health will be crucial in adapting strategies to meet evolving health needs. By prioritizing these areas, Iran can continue to build on its successes and ensure a healthier future for its younger population.
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