Lancet Report Aims to Halve Global Premature Deaths by 2050
In the lead-up to the 2024 World Health Summit, a groundbreaking report by the Lancet Commission on ‘Investing in Health’ has set an ambitious target of reducing premature deaths globally by 50% by the year 2050. The report, termed the ’50-by-50′ goal, calls for coordinated global action to cut the probability of early mortality across all age groups.
Seven of the world’s 30 most populous countries—Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Iran, Turkiye, and others—are on track to achieve this challenging but achievable target, according to the report’s authors. The Lancet Commission underscores that these nations, through focused investment in health systems and preventive measures, have demonstrated notable progress toward improving life expectancy and reducing health disparities.
The report draws on contributions from leading experts, including members from Harvard University’s School of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and India’s Public Health Foundation, based in New Delhi. It outlines key strategies to accelerate progress, such as enhancing access to healthcare, addressing non-communicable diseases, improving maternal and child health, and reducing risk factors like smoking and poor nutrition.
The WHO, a partner in the upcoming World Health Summit, has welcomed the Lancet Commission’s report, emphasizing its alignment with the global health agenda of achieving universal health coverage and reducing inequalities.
Dr. Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, remarked, “The ’50-by-50′ goal is bold, but it is achievable with global collaboration and sustained investment in health systems. We need to act now to prevent millions of unnecessary deaths.”
As the world grapples with evolving health challenges, this new report serves as a clarion call for action, urging nations to invest in health initiatives that can deliver transformative impacts on global mortality rates by mid-century.