The Global Burden of Disease Study was the first implementation of the burden of disease concept at the global and regional levels. The study demonstrated that this approach is feasible. The large number of National Burden of Disease studies that have followed also indicate the demand for such comprehensive views of health problems. The results of these studies show that the effort at comprehensive assessment can yield many surprises. This is not just an issue for rich countries.
Depression alone is the fourth leading cause of the global disease burden.
Another surprise is the importance of injuries in all regions. Social and economic development is not a guarantee for containing health gains. There can be abrupt reversals. The alarming decline in male life expectancy in Eastern Europe, described by the Global Burden of Disease study, reminds us that we cannot take good health for granted. It is very clear that ill health is often caused by more than one disease.