Story perspectives

Mental Disorders Top Disability Cause in 2023, Women Hit Harder

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Queensland and partners reported mental disorders became the leading cause of disability in 2023.
The Global Burden of Disease 2023 study estimated 1.17 billion cases, placed mental disorders fifth in DALYs, and found anxiety and depressive disorders among the top 20 causes in 152 of 204 countries.
Researchers urged surveillance, early treatment and prevention after women (620 million) showed higher prevalence and 92.6 million DALYs than men (552 million; 78.6 million).

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Story summary

University of Queensland and partners reported mental disorders became the leading cause of disability in 2023.
The Global Burden of Disease 2023 study estimated 1.17 billion cases, placed mental disorders fifth in DALYs, and found anxiety and depressive disorders among the top 20 causes in 152 of 204 countries.
Researchers urged surveillance, early treatment and prevention after women (620 million) showed higher prevalence and 92.6 million DALYs than men (552 million; 78.6 million).