February 19, 2021

Years of Life Lost to COVID-19 in 81 Countries

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): public health

An estimated 20.5 million years of life have been lost as a result of COVID-19-attributable deaths globally. As of January 6, 2021, years of life lost (YLL) in heavily affected countries, including the United States, are 2–9 times the average losses from seasonal influenza. Three quarters of the YLL result from deaths in ages below 75 and almost a third from deaths below 55. Men have lost 45% more life-years than women. The authors note that a more complete picture of the effect of the pandemic would be obtained by additionally estimating the years lived with disability from effects of COVID-19.

Pifarré I Arolas et al. (Feb 2021). Years of Life Lost to COVID-19 in 81 Countries. Scientific Reports. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33603008/