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One-third of global burden of mental, neurological disorders in China, India

China and India account for approximately one-third of global disability-adjusted life-years attributable to mental, neurological and substance use disorders, greater than the combined burden of all developed countries.

“Historically, in China and India, mental, neurological, and substance use disorders have been a low priority compared with communicable diseases and noncommunicable disorders, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease,” Fiona J. Charlson, PhD, of the University of Queensland, Herston, Australia, and colleagues wrote. “Resource allocation, both human and financial, for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders has traditionally been much less than the proportion of burden attributable to these disorders.”

To estimate the burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorder in China and India, researchers conducted a systematic analysis of community representative epidemiological studies and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Disability-adjusted life-year changes from 1990 to 2013 were determined to quantify change attributable to population growth and aging. United Nations population data were used to project disability-adjusted life-years from 2013 to 2025 for mental, neurological and substance use disorders.

Approximately one-third of global disability-adjusted life-years were found in China and India (66 million disability-adjusted life-years), which was greater than all developed countries combined, at 50 million disability-adjusted life-years.

Disease burden in India was similar to other developing countries, with approximately 50% of disability-adjusted life-years attributable to noncommunicable disease. China closely resembled developed countries, with approximately 80% of disability-adjusted life-years attributable to noncommunicable disease.

Overall population growth in India explained 44% of the increase in mental, neurological and substance use disorder burden from 1990 to 2013, compared with 20% in China.

Between 2013 and 2025, the burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorders is estimated to increase by 10% in China and 23% in India.

“Around one-third of global [disability-adjusted life-years] attributable to mental, neurological, and substance use disorders occur in China and India, a number greater than all developed countries combined, yet the current treatment gaps for mental, neurological, and substance use disorder in these countries are vast,” the researchers wrote. “The observed burden and projected increase in burden of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in China and India warrants urgent prioritization of programs focused on targeted prevention, early identification, and effective treatment.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.