Childhood cancer burden and health inequality: A systematic analysis from the global burden of diseases study 2021.
1/5 보강
[OBJECTIVE] To estimate the burden, trends, and inequalities of childhood cancers (aged 0-14 years) at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021.
- 95% CI -0.06-0.01
APA
Pei G, Yang Y, et al. (2026). Childhood cancer burden and health inequality: A systematic analysis from the global burden of diseases study 2021.. PloS one, 21(1), e0341303. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0341303
MLA
Pei G, et al.. "Childhood cancer burden and health inequality: A systematic analysis from the global burden of diseases study 2021.." PloS one, vol. 21, no. 1, 2026, pp. e0341303.
PMID
41591986
Abstract
[OBJECTIVE] To estimate the burden, trends, and inequalities of childhood cancers (aged 0-14 years) at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021.
[METHODS] We analyzed Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2021 data, using age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) to assess childhood cancer burden across 204 countries and territories, grouped into 21 GBD regions by the socio-demographic index (SDI). Temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression. The slope index of inequality and concentration index were calculated to quantify absolute and relative inequalities in the disease burden.
[RESULTS] In 2021, childhood cancer caused 70.45 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 57.7-82.79) DALYs globally, with 98.6% attributed to years of life lost. Global ASDR declined from 664.31 (95% UI: 552.99-785.90) in 1990 to 354.06 (95% UI: 289.08-417.49) per 100,000 in 2021. Low-SDI countries had the highest ASDR (467.41, 95% UI: 342.00-589.20), reflecting challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare access. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia dominated the burden in children under 5, while brain cancers were more common in the 10-14 age group. Boys exhibited higher ASDR (395.55, 95% UI: 307.57-477.68) versus girls (309.80, 95% UI: 253.75-364.91). Socioeconomic inequalities widened, with DALYs concentration index shifting from -0.03 (95% CI: -0.06-0.01) in 1990 to -0.13 (95% CI: -0.16 - -0.11) in 2021, reflecting disproportionate burdens in low-SDI countries.
[CONCLUSIONS] Persistent disparities in childhood cancer outcomes highlight systemic inequities in healthcare access. High-SDI countries achieved significant mortality reductions, while low-SDI countries face escalating burdens due to delayed diagnoses and fragmented care. Prioritizing cost-effective innovations, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and implementing gender-sensitive policies are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3.4 targets. Global collaboration to expand cancer registries and equitable resource allocation is urgently needed to mitigate disparities.
[METHODS] We analyzed Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2021 data, using age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) to assess childhood cancer burden across 204 countries and territories, grouped into 21 GBD regions by the socio-demographic index (SDI). Temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression. The slope index of inequality and concentration index were calculated to quantify absolute and relative inequalities in the disease burden.
[RESULTS] In 2021, childhood cancer caused 70.45 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 57.7-82.79) DALYs globally, with 98.6% attributed to years of life lost. Global ASDR declined from 664.31 (95% UI: 552.99-785.90) in 1990 to 354.06 (95% UI: 289.08-417.49) per 100,000 in 2021. Low-SDI countries had the highest ASDR (467.41, 95% UI: 342.00-589.20), reflecting challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare access. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia dominated the burden in children under 5, while brain cancers were more common in the 10-14 age group. Boys exhibited higher ASDR (395.55, 95% UI: 307.57-477.68) versus girls (309.80, 95% UI: 253.75-364.91). Socioeconomic inequalities widened, with DALYs concentration index shifting from -0.03 (95% CI: -0.06-0.01) in 1990 to -0.13 (95% CI: -0.16 - -0.11) in 2021, reflecting disproportionate burdens in low-SDI countries.
[CONCLUSIONS] Persistent disparities in childhood cancer outcomes highlight systemic inequities in healthcare access. High-SDI countries achieved significant mortality reductions, while low-SDI countries face escalating burdens due to delayed diagnoses and fragmented care. Prioritizing cost-effective innovations, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and implementing gender-sensitive policies are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3.4 targets. Global collaboration to expand cancer registries and equitable resource allocation is urgently needed to mitigate disparities.
MeSH Terms
Humans; Child; Global Burden of Disease; Child, Preschool; Neoplasms; Infant; Adolescent; Male; Female; Disability-Adjusted Life Years; Infant, Newborn; Socioeconomic Factors; Global Health; Health Status Disparities; Cost of Illness; Quality-Adjusted Life Years