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. 2022 Jan 4;22(1):5.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-12070-3.

Mongolia health situation: based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Odgerel Chimed-Ochir  1 , Vanya Delgermaa  2 , Ken Takahashi  3 , Oyuntsetseg Purev  4 , Amarzaya Sarankhuu  5 , Yoshihisa Fujino  6 , Narantuya Bayarmagnai  7 , Otgontuya Dugee  8 , Ryenchindorj Erkhembayar  9 , Battur Lkhagvaa  10 , Chimedsuren Ochir  9   11 , Tumenjavkhlan Sosorburam  12   13 , Mohsen Naghavi  14   15
Affiliations

Mongolia health situation: based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Odgerel Chimed-Ochir et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Over the past few decades, economic, political, and social changes have directly and indirectly affected the health of the Mongolian population. To date, no comprehensive analysis has been conducted on the burden of diseases in this country. Thus, we aimed to describe the leading causes of death and disabling conditions and their trends between 1990 and 2019 in the Mongolian population.

Methods: We used the data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. In the current study, we examined life expectancy at birth, healthy life expectancy, the 20 leading causes of death, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted-life-years (DALYs), and the contribution of major risk factors to DALYs in Mongolia.

Findings: The life expectancy at birth in Mongolia has gradually increased since 1995 and reached 63.8 years for men and 72.7 for women in 2019. The highest increase in the age-standardised death rate between 1990 and 2019 occurred in alcohol use disorders (628.6%; 95% UI 10.0-1109.6) among men, and in liver cancer (129.1%; UI 65.3-222.4) among women. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke showed the highest rates of death, YLLs, and DALYs among both men and women. In 2019, the highest age-standardised rates of DALYs were attributable to high systolic blood pressure and dietary risks.

Interpretation: Although Mongolia saw substantial improvements across many communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal disorders, and under-5 mortality between 1990 and 2019, non-communicable diseases remained leading causes of mortality. The mortality from the most preventable causes such as injury, alcohol use, and dietary risks remain substantially high, suggesting that individual and social efforts are needed to tackle these diseases. Our analyses will support the development of policy priorities and action plans in multiple sectors to improve the overall health of the Mongolian population.

Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare they have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Life expectancy for men (A) and women (B): Comparison between Mongolia and Central Asian countries
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Relative rank of the leading 20 causes of DALYs in 1990 and 2019, number/age-standardized rate in DALY with % changes from 1990 and 2019 for men (A) and women (B)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Age-standardized DALY rate attributable to risk factors (GBD Level 2) for men (A) and women (B) in 2019
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Age-standardized rates of deaths (A) and DALYs (B) due to liver cancer and cirrhosis (GBD Level 4 Cause) in 2019
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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