The Story of Death
Scroll through the defining moments of global mortality. From the fall of infectious disease to the rise of chronic killers — 33 years of data, told as a story.
The World in 1990
In 1990, infectious diseases still dominated global mortality. Lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and neonatal disorders claimed millions of lives each year, especially in developing nations.
NCDs Were Already #1
Even in 1990, non-communicable diseases — heart disease, cancer, diabetes — were already the world's leading killers. But the gap was about to widen dramatically.
Infectious Disease in Retreat
As vaccines spread and sanitation improved, infectious diseases began their long decline. But the fight was uneven — other infectious diseases still killed hundreds of thousands in the developing world.
HIV/AIDS Devastates Africa
While infections fell in most of the world, HIV/AIDS tore through Sub-Saharan Africa. By 2004, it was the leading cause of death in many African nations, erasing decades of life expectancy gains.
Childhood Deaths Plummet
One of humanity's great achievements: deaths from lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and neonatal disorders fell sharply. Vaccines, oral rehydration, and basic sanitation saved millions.
Heart Disease: The Unshakeable #1
Cardiovascular disease solidified its position as the world's top killer — and it hasn't let go. Despite medical advances, the global burden of heart disease grew with aging populations.
Cancer's Rising Toll
Cancer continued its steady climb. As populations aged and infectious diseases fell, neoplasms became the #2 killer globally. In many high-income countries, cancer overtook heart disease.
Neurological Disorders Rise
As populations aged worldwide, neurological disorders — including Alzheimer's and other dementias — surged. By 2020, they had become one of the fastest-growing causes of death globally.
Intentional Injuries: A Silent Epidemic
Amid the focus on chronic diseases, self-harm remains a tragically overlooked cause of death — especially among young adults. Globally, it claims more lives than many realise.
Where You Live Decides How You Die
The world has made extraordinary progress — but not equally. In high-income countries, cancer and dementia dominate. In the poorest nations, infections and injuries still claim lives that wealthier countries would save.
The World Today
By 2023, non-communicable diseases account for the vast majority of deaths worldwide. The epidemiological transition is nearly complete in most regions — but stark inequalities remain.
Knowledge Is Power
Understanding mortality is the first step to improving it. Explore your own risk profile, see how your country compares, and discover which factors you can actually change.
The Story of Global Mortality
A data-driven narrative through 30 years of life and death
Data alone does not tell the full story. The scrollytelling narrative weaves together three decades of mortality data into a guided journey through the most important health transitions of our time. From the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic to the quiet revolution in childhood survival, each chapter reveals a different facet of how the world dies.
Designed for both general audiences and health professionals, this interactive narrative combines accessible writing with responsive data visualisations. Scroll through at your own pace to discover the milestones, surprises, and persistent inequalities that define global mortality in the 21st century.
What story does this page tell about global mortality?
The story traces the transformation of global mortality from 1990 to 2023, highlighting key milestones: the HIV/AIDS crisis, the decline of childhood infectious diseases, the rise of chronic diseases, and the changing geography of death. Each chapter is accompanied by interactive charts that bring the data to life.
Can I use this story for educational purposes?
Absolutely. The scrollytelling narrative is designed for education, journalism, and public communication. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) and can be freely shared and adapted with attribution.