Mental Disorders Overtake Cancer as Top Disability Cause

A groundbreaking Lancet study reveals that the global mental health burden has surged dramatically over the last three decades. Consequently, these conditions have now overtaken cardiovascular diseases and cancer to become the primary cause of global disability.

The Rising Global Mental Health Burden

Specifically, researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of Washington tracked twelve different mental disorders globally. They discovered that nearly 1.2 billion people lived with a mental health condition in 2023. This massive figure represents almost double the prevalence reported in 1990. Additionally, mental disorders now represent over 17 percent of all years lived with disability globally.

Anxiety and Depression Drive Global Trends

In particular, anxiety and major depressive disorders are the main drivers behind this unprecedented health crisis. Furthermore, certain demographic groups face a significantly higher risk than others. For example, adolescents aged 15 to 19 experience the highest overall burden. This highlights the urgent need for professionals to pursue specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry. Similarly, these conditions affect women disproportionately compared to men. In 2023, approximately 620 million women lived with mental disorders compared to 552 million men. However, males tend to experience higher rates of neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions during childhood.

The Indian Context and Structural Drivers

Specifically, India has witnessed a staggering rise in anxiety disorders over the past few decades. For instance, the age-standardized prevalence in India rose from 2,592 per lakh in 1990 to 5,793 per lakh in 2023. This increase represents a rise of over 123 percent. Moreover, Indian women saw a rise of 136.7 percent, while men experienced a 102 percent increase. Therefore, public health experts must prioritize targeted interventions. Several structural drivers like poverty, violence, and declining social connectedness fuel these trends. In addition, the lingering stress of the pandemic continues to impact populations, which is a key topic covered in professional psychiatric training programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the main drivers of the rising global mental health burden?

Surging rates of anxiety and depression primarily drive this rise. Additionally, structural factors such as poverty, violence, social isolation, and lingering pandemic stress play a major role.

Q2: Which demographic groups are most affected by mental disorders?

Mental disorders disproportionately affect women and adolescents aged 15 to 19. Globally, 620 million women lived with a mental disorder in 2023 compared to 552 million men.

Q3: How much has the prevalence of anxiety disorders increased in India?

In India, the age-standardized prevalence of anxiety disorders rose by 123.5 percent between 1990 and 2023. Specifically, prevalence increased by 136.7 percent among women and 102 percent among men.

References

1. Mental disorders leading cause of disability, surpassing cardiovascular disease,cancer: Study – ETHealthworld
2. Santomauro, D., et al. (2026). Updated trends in the global prevalence and burden of mental disorders, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet.
3. World Health Organization. (2025). Global Health Estimates.

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