Similarities and differences in health status and burden of disease in low-, middle- and high-income countries

Question 1

Life Expectancy

Answer 1

Similarities
- life expectancy and HALE expectancy has increased over time in most countries
- females have a higher LE than males

Differences
- the lower the income of the country, the lower the life expectancy

Question 2

Morbidity & mortality

Answer 2

Similarities
- U5MR has improved in most countries around the world
- females have a higher LE than males
- non-communicable diseases account for the highest percentage of deaths

Differences
- lower income countries experience higher rates of mortality & morbidity than high income countries
- maternal mortality is significantly higher in low-income countries

Question 3

Burden of disease

Answer 3

Similarities
- the rate of YLD generally increases with life expectancy

Differences
- YLL rates for most causes are higher in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries
- the total YLL by non-communicable diseases is much higher in high-income countries than low-income countries