The global burden of childhood diarrhea and its epidemiological characteristics from 1990 to 2021

The burden of childhood diarrhea diseases globally has been decreasing but remains a substantial contributor to DALYs. Low-middle SDI regions show persistently high age-standardized rates, with South Asia bearing the highest burden. Our study clarifies the global and regional epidemiology of childhood diarrheal diseases and identifies unsafe water sources as the predominant risk factor. These findings highlight the need for region-specific water safety initiatives in high-burden areas and are vital for shaping public health strategies and policy decisions for prevention.