The burden attributable to risk factors in Mexico, 1990-2021. Summary of the findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study.

Abstract

Over the past decades, Mexico's health landscape has shifted from infectious to non-communicable diseases and violence, mirroring lifestyle, urbanization, and developmental changes. To describe the impact of risk factors on health in Mexico from 1990 to 2021. Using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study estimates, we describe risk factor-related mortality and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in Mexico (1990-2021) by age, sex, and state of the country. In 2021, risk factors led to 14.9 (12.9-16.7) million DALYs, which accounted for 32.4% of Mexico's burden. Metabolic risks, with 19.8% (17.0-21.9%), were the main contributors. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized all-cause mortality rate associated with metabolic risks increased by 6.5%, while behavioral and environmental risks decreased by more than 50%, with marked variations between states. The predominant risk factors shifted from malnutrition and unsafe water and sanitation in 1990 to high glucose and body mass index in 2021. Malnutrition-related risks have the highest impact on health loss in children younger than 5 years. Mexico faces a dual health challenge: childhood malnutrition persists, and adult metabolic risks are on the rise, particularly in less developed states, with targeted interventions for traditional and emerging health threats being required.