Objectives The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces several
health challenges at a difficult time with wars, unrest,
and economic change.
Methods We used the Global Burden of Disease 2015
study to present the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk
factors in the Eastern Mediterranean Region from 1990 to
2015.
Results Ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of
death in the region in 2015, followed by cerebrovascular
disease. Changes in total deaths ranged from a reduction of
25% for diarrheal diseases to an increase of about 42% for
diabetes and tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer. Collective
violence and legal intervention increased by 850%
during the time period. Diet was the leading risk factor for
disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for men compared
to maternal malnutrition for females. Childhood undernutrition
was the leading risk factor for DALYs in 1990 and
2005, but the second in 2015 after high blood pressure. Conclusions Our study shows that the region is facing
several health challenges and calls for global efforts to
stabilise the region and to address the current and future
burden of disease.