A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet reveals that the global burden of mental disorders has more than doubled over the last three decades, affecting nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide. Mental health conditions have officially overtaken major chronic physical ailments—including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions—to become the leading cause of disability across the globe. Today, these disorders account for over 17 percent of all years lived with disability globally, signaling a profound shift in public health priorities.
The sharp rise in diagnoses is heavily driven by a surge in anxiety and depression, with women and young people suffering disproportionately. Globally, approximately 620 million women are living with a mental disorder compared to 552 million men. While women experience much higher rates of depression and anxiety, neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions like ADHD and autism are more prevalent in males, typically peaking during adolescence. Across all demographics, the highest collective health burden was found in the 15–19 age group, underscoring a critical, urgent need for youth-focused early intervention and mental health support systems.
The surge is especially severe in India, where anxiety disorders have spiked exponentially. Between 1990 and 2023, the age-standardized prevalence of anxiety skyrocketed by 123.5 percent across the country. Looking at the gender breakdown in India, the prevalence of anxiety disorders climbed by an astonishing 136.7 percent among women during this period, compared to a 102 percent increase among men.
Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of Washington emphasize that this crisis spans all nations universally, regardless of whether a country is resource-poor or highly developed. Public health experts attribute the worsening data to a mix of long-term structural stressors. These include poverty, child maltreatment, domestic violence, systemic inequality, decreasing social connectedness, and the lingering impacts of pandemics, war, and climate change. Ultimately, the study concludes that current international healthcare infrastructure is profoundly insufficient, urging immediate, well-funded global interventions, stronger surveillance, and early preventative care systems to tackle the growing crisis.
Reference: Adapted from “Mental disorders leading cause of disability, surpassing cardiovascular disease, cancer: Study,” published by ETHealthworld (The Economic Times) via PTI on May 22, 2026 (Link: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/mental-disorders-leading-cause-of-disability-surpassing-cardiovascular-disease-cancer-study/131254503).