Estimates for sensory impairments requiring rehabilitation in China and globally: a comparative analysis of trends from 1990 to 2021 and future projections based on the GBD-WHO rehabilitation database 2021.

Authors

Ding Chen, Zhenwei Qin, Zhongtai Wang, Tao Chen, Jingzhi Yang

Published in

Journal of global health. Volume 16. Pages 04171. Jul 10, 2026. Epub Jul 10, 2026.

Abstract

Sensory impairments, especially hearing and vision loss, are an increasing global public health concern. We examined the burden and trends of sensory impairment rehabilitation needs in China from 1990 to 2021 by age and sex, compared them with global data, and projected trends for the next 15 years.
Using data from the World Health Organization rehabilitation need estimator, we analysed prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), and age-standardised rates (ASRs) at national and global levels. We calculated the average annual percent change (AAPC) using Joinpoint regression to identify significant trend shifts. We projected future trends using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model and decomposition analysis to assess the contributions of key drivers.
From 1990 to 2021, China experienced a more pronounced increase in the number of prevalent cases requiring sensory impairment rehabilitation (140.60%) than the global average (98.09%). The age-standardised prevalence rate (ASPR) increased significantly in China (AAPC = 0.2805), largely driven by hearing loss (AAPC = 0.4204), whereas the global ASPR increased only modestly (AAPC = 0.0797). Similarly, the age-standardised years lived with disability rate (ASYR) increased in China (AAPC = 0.1005) but declined globally (AAPC = -0.0955). Sensory impairments requiring rehabilitation were most prevalent among older adults (aged 55-79 years). Males were more affected at younger ages, whereas females were more affected at older ages. Decomposition analysis identified population ageing as the dominant driver in China. Projections indicate a slight decline in China's ASPR over the next 15 years, accompanied by a decline in ASYR. Globally, both metrics are expected to decline slightly.
Population ageing is the main driver of China's rapidly growing need for sensory impairment rehabilitation, outpacing global trends. Urgent public health strategies are needed to strengthen rehabilitation systems and target older adults.

PMID:
42423646
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 09 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.