On Dec. 18, 2024, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reported that diarrhoeal diseases claim more than 1 million lives annually and are a leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. In 2021, diarrhoeal diseases caused an estimated 1.17 million deaths globally, representing a 60% decrease compared to an estimated 2.93 million deaths in 1990.

The substantial decline in the global burden of diarrhoeal diseases since 1990, particularly in children younger than 5 years, supports the effectiveness of health interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, and the introduction and scale-up of rotavirus vaccination.

Targeted interventions and preventive measures against key risk factors and pathogens could further reduce this burden. Continued investment in the development and distribution of vaccines for leading pathogens remains crucial. The study was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.