Abstract：Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of communicable diseases among children and adolescents in China from 1990 to 2021. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease Database, epidemiological indicators for communicable diseases among the population aged under 20 years in China from 1990 to 2021 were selected to analyze the burden of communicable diseases in this population, and a comparative analysis was performed with global data as well as data from Western Europe and North America. Results In 1990-2021, the overall burden of communicable diseases tended to decrease among children and adolescents in China. In 2021, the prevalence rate of communicable diseases in China was lower than the global prevalence rate and was higher than that in Western Europe and North America. There was a significant reduction in the mortality rate of communicable diseases, and the gap with Western Europe and North America gradually narrowed year by year. The overall incidence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life year rate of communicable diseases in males were higher than those in females, and respiratory infections and intestinal infections were more common in children aged <5 years, while the incidence rate of sexually transmitted diseases was higher in adolescents. Conclusions From 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of communicable diseases among the population under 20 years old in China has significantly decreased. However, there is still a certain gap compared to developed regions. Strengthening the prevention and control of diseases such as respiratory infections and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as enhancing health interventions for children under 5 years old, will help improve the overall health level of children and adolescents in China.
YANG Yang,ZHAO Ming-Yi. Disease burden of communicable diseases among children and adolescents aged under 20 years in China from 1990 to 2021[J]. CJCP, 2025, 27(1): 39-46.
Zhang C, Fu X, Liu Y, et al. Burden of infectious diseases and bacterial antimicrobial resistance in China: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019[J]. Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2023, 43: 100972. PMID: 38076321. PMCID: PMC10700598. DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100972.
GBD 2019 Child and Adolescent Communicable Disease Collaborators. The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019[J]. Lancet, 2023, 402(10398): 313-335. PMID: 37393924. PMCID: PMC10375221. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00860-7.
GBD 2019 Under-5 Mortality Collaborators. Global, regional, and national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health: all-cause and cause-specific mortality findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019[J]. Lancet, 2021, 398(10303): 870-905. PMID: 34416195. PMCID: PMC8429803. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01207-1.
GBD 2021 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021[J]. Lancet, 2024, 403(10440): 2133-2161. PMID: 38642570. PMCID: PMC11122111. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00757-8.
Perin J, Mulick A, Yeung D, et al. Global, regional, and national causes of under-5 mortality in 2000-19: an updated systematic analysis with implications for the Sustainable Development Goals[J]. Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2022, 6(2): 106-115. PMID: 34800370. PMCID: PMC8786667. DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00311-4.
Zheng Y, Yu Q, Lin Y, et al. Global burden and trends of sexually transmitted infections from 1990 to 2019: an observational trend study[J]. Lancet Infect Dis, 2022, 22(4): 541-551. PMID: 34942091. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00448-5.
