Beyond Child Survival: The Evolving Global Burden of Lower Respiratory Infections and Emerging Pathogens (1990-2023)

Highlights

• Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) resulted in 2.50 million deaths and 98.7 million DALYs globally in 2023, remaining the leading infectious cause of mortality.
• Mortality among children younger than 5 years decreased by 33.4% since 2010, yet 129 of 204 countries have met the GAPPD target of fewer than 60 deaths per 100,000.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the leading LRI pathogen, responsible for 25.3% of all LRI deaths.
• The inclusion of 11 newly modelled pathogens, including non-tuberculous mycobacteria and Aspergillus spp, accounts for approximately 22% of the global LRI death toll.

The Enduring Challenge of Lower Respiratory Infections