Global disparities in COVID-19 mortality: A regional and population-based analysis

This study examines global disparities in COVID-19 mortality across WHO regions and countries, utilizing secondary data from the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard and World Bank population estimates. Descriptive statistical analyses reveal significant variations in mortality metrics. The African region exhibits the highest death-to-case ratio at 1.93%, driven by underreported cases and limited healthcare access, while the Western Pacific region records the lowest at 0.20%, reflecting robust public health measures. Globally, 80% of 7.78 million reported deaths are concentrated in 24 countries, with the U.S. (1.2 million deaths) and India (533,000 deaths) bearing significant burdens. Mexico and Peru show the highest case fatality rates at 4.4% and 4.9%, respectively, indicating underreporting or healthcare strain. In contrast, China and Japan report low mortality per capita due to stringent interventions. The case study of Bangladesh highlights challenges in densely populated developing nations, with a 1.44% death-to-case ratio exceeding the global average of 1%. These findings underscore the need for equitable healthcare resource allocation and strengthened surveillance systems to address disparities and enhance global pandemic preparedness.