India, Oct. 13 -- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for nearly two-thirds of the world's total mortality and morbidity, led by ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study published in The Lancet on Sunday, even as the global all-cause mean age at death increased from 46.8 years in 1990 to 63.4 years in 2023.

For men, the mean age increased from 45.4 years to 61.2 years, and for women it increased from 48.5 years to 65.9 years in the corresponding period.

Researchers also estimate that nearly half of all death and disability could be prevented by modifying some of the leading risk factors, such as reducing high levels of blood sugar and high body mass index (BMI)....