Global burden of viral infectious diseases of poverty based on GBD 2021

Abstract

Background Viral infectious diseases of poverty (vIDPs) remain a significant global health challenge. Despite their profound impact, the burden of these diseases is not comprehensively quantified. This study aims to analyze the global burden of six major vIDPs, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, acute hepatitis, dengue, rabies, and Ebola, by using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 (GBD 2021). Methods Following the methodological framework and analytical strategies of the GBD 2021, we analyzed the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of the six vIDPs across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. We also examined the association between the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and the burden of vIDPs. All estimates were reported as numbers and rates per 100,000 population, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). Results In 2021, the total deaths due to vIDPs were approximately 8.7 million, and the DALYs were approximately 259.2 million, accounting for 12.8% and 9.0% of the global all-cause totals, respectively. Globally, the burden of vIDPs varied significantly. COVID-19 was the most impactful, with approximately 7.9 million (95% UI 7.5-8.4) deaths and 212.0 million (95% UI 197.9-234.7) DALYs in 2021. Acute hepatitis had the second-highest age-standardized incidence rate, while HIV/AIDS had a high age-standardized prevalence rate. The incidence of dengue significantly increased, with cases rising from 26.5 million (95% UI 3.9-51.9) in 1990 to 59.0 million (95% UI 15.5-106.9) in 2021. Rabies, although reduced in prevalence, continued to pose a significant mortality risk. Ebola had the lowest overall burden but showed significant impacts during outbreaks. Analysis revealed a negative correlation between SDI and DALYs for rabies, acute hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS, whereas dengue, Ebola, and COVID-19 showed no direct correlation with SDI. Conclusions vIDPs pose major public health challenges worldwide, with significant regional, age, and gender disparities. The results underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and international cooperation to mitigate the burden of these diseases. Policymakers can use these findings to implement cost-effective interventions and improve health outcomes, particularly in regions with high or increasing burdens.