- Global incidence, prevalence, and DALYs for NMSDs rose markedly from 1990 to 2023, with neurological and mental disorder DALYs approximately doubling.
- Mental disorder age-standardised incidence, prevalence and DALY rates rose 15%, 24% and 29%. Substance use declined overall; opioid and cocaine increased in high-income North America.
- Indirect economic burden and GDP share rose in most countries, highlighting geographic and demographic disparities and need for targeted resource allocation and integrated interventions.
Chin Med Sci J. 2026 Jun;41(2):62-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cmsj.2026.08.002. Epub 2026 Sep 4.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the global disease burden and indirect economic costs of neurological, mental, and substance use disorders (NMSDs) from 1990 to 2023.
METHODS: This study analyzed data on incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for NMSDs using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2023 database. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate average annual percentage change. Spearman correlation was applied to examine the association between age-standardized rates and socio-demographic index (SDI). The indirect economic burden was estimated using the human capital approach, incorporating age-adjusted productivity weights and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.
RESULTS: From 1990 to 2023, the absolute numbers of incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs for NMSDs increased substantially, with DALYs for neurological and mental disorders approximately doubling. Age-standardized rates demonstrated divergent trends across disease categories. For mental disorders, the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates increased by 15.00%, 24.00%, and 29.00%, respectively, with the overall burden rising markedly in 2019. In contrast, while the overall burden of substance use disorders declined, a notable exception emerged in high-income North America, where rising rates were observed specifically for opioid and cocaine use disorders. The burden of neurological and mental disorders was higher in females than in males, whereas substance use disorders showed the opposite pattern. The age-standardized DALY rate for motor neuron disease exhibited a significant positive correlation with SDI (ρs = 0.82, P < 0.001). The indirect economic burden and its share of GDP increased in most countries, while the share for substance use disorders in China declined by 46.19%.
CONCLUSION: The disease burden and economic costs of NMSDs increased globally from 1990 to 2023, with significant geographic, national, and demographic disparities. These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted resource allocation and integrated interventions.
PMID:42875146 | DOI:10.1016/j.cmsj.2026.08.002
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