The demand for palliative care (PC) has seen a significant increase globally over the past three decades, with a 74% rise in the number of people requiring PC in 2021, reaching 73.5 million individuals. This data was revealed in a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health.
It was noted that low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) account for 80% of individuals in need of PC, with an 83% increase in demand compared to a 46% increase in high-income countries (HICs). Factors contributing to this surge include population growth and an increase in diseases and conditions that necessitate PC.
Despite the growing need for PC, access to these services remains limited globally. The study underscores the importance of addressing this gap in healthcare, as highlighted by the Lancet Commission on Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief (LCPCPR) in 2017. This commission emphasized that millions of individuals experience serious health-related suffering (SHS) each year, which refers to pain and reduced quality of life that requires professional intervention.
Expanding on the LCPCPR Commission report, the recent study utilized updated methods and data spanning from 1990 to 2021. It revealed a notable increase in the demand for PC due to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia, particularly in HICs.
The findings of the study emphasize the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of individuals requiring PC through enhanced prevention and treatment strategies. Moreover, there is a crucial need to ensure universal access to comprehensive PC services, especially in LMICs.
For those interested in delving deeper into the study, the full research article is available in The Lancet Global Health under the title “The evolution of serious health-related suffering from 1990 to 2021: an update to The Lancet Commission on global access to palliative care and pain relief.”
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the pressing need to address the growing demand for palliative care globally and underscores the importance of improving access to these essential services for individuals facing serious health-related suffering.
