Population-Level Distribution, Risk Factors, and Burden of Mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Attributable to Major Noncommunicable Diseases in Western Europe (1990-2021) - Ecological Analysis

Sep 21, 2026

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Cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms are major drivers of mortality and disability worldwide. This ecological analysis quantifies population-level distribution, risk factors, and the burden of mortality and DALYs attributable to major noncommunicable diseases across Western Europe for 1990–2021. Using Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data, it assesses age-, sex-, and country-specific patterns and regional cause trends, and evaluates implementation relevance of the WHO European NCD Action Plan.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Objective

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Introduction

| JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE Mubarik et al
Original Paper
Population-Level Distribution, Risk Factors, and Burden of Mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Attributable to Major Noncommunicable Diseases in Western Europe (1990-2021): Ecological Analysis | | --- | | | | Sumaira Mubarik 1 , PhD; Shafaq Naeem2 , MPhil; Hui Shen3 , MSc; Rabia Mubarak4 , MPhil; Lisha Luo5 , MSc; Syeda Rija Hussain6 , MBBS; Eelko Hak 1 , PhD; Chuanhua Yu7 , PhD; Xiaoxue Liu8 , PhD | | 1PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology, and Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands 2Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
3Department of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China 4Department of Economics, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
5Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China 6Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
7Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
8Global Health Research Division, Public Health Research Center and Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Jiangsu, China
Corresponding Author:
Xiaoxue Liu, PhD
Global Health Research Division, Public Health Research Center and Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University
Wuxi
Jiangsu, 214122 China
Phone: 86 16602742769
Email: [liuxx019@jiangnan.edu.cn](liuxx019@jiangnan.edu.cn)
Abstract | Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neoplasms are leading causes of mortality worldwide. Objective: This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the mortality burden and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to CVDs and neoplasms in Western Europe, investigate associated risk factors, and identify regional disparities. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in promoting healthier lives in the region. Methods: The study collected data on mortality and DALYs due to CVDs and cancers from 24 Western European countries using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The analysis explored age, sex, and country-specific patterns, as well as risk factors contributing to these deaths. Additionally, the study examined time trends by calculating the annual percent change in mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 by region and cause . Results: In 2021, CVDs and neoplasms accounted for 27.8% and 27.1% of total deaths in Western Europe, with age-standardized death rates of 106.8 and 125.8 per 100,000, respectively. The top two CVDs in this region were ischemic heart disease and stroke, with age-standardized death rates of 47.27 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 50.42-41.45) and 27.06 (95% UI 29.17-23.00), respectively. Similarly, the top two neoplasms were lung cancer and colorectal cancer, with age-standardized death rates of 26.4 (95% UI 27.69-24.47) and 15.1 (95% UI 16.25-13.53), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, CVD mortality rates decreased by 61.9%, while cancer rates decreased by 28.27% . Finland had the highest CVD burden (39.5%), and Monaco had the highest rate of cancer-related deaths (34.8%) . Gender differences were observed, with males experiencing a higher burden of both CVDs and cancer . Older individuals were also more at risk. Smoking had a stronger impact on CVD mortality and DALYs in males, while a higher Human Development Index was associated with increased cancer deaths and DALYs in females. [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e57840](https://publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e57840) JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024 | vol. 10 | e57840 | p. 1 (page number not for citation purpo

FAQs

What do CVDs and neoplasms contribute to in Western Europe in this study?

CVDs and neoplasms account for 27.8% and 27.1% of total deaths in 2021, with substantial age-standardized death rates reported for each disease group.

How were mortality and DALYs analyzed for 1990 to 2021?

Data on mortality and DALYs from CVDs and cancers across 24 Western European countries were drawn from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, with trends evaluated using annual percent change in mortality rates by region and cause.

Which factors were associated with differences in mortality and DALYs by gender?

Smoking showed a stronger impact on CVD mortality and DALYs in males, while a higher Human Development Index was associated with increased cancer deaths and DALYs in females.

Sep 21, 2026

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