Global life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels but major health challenges remain, study says

Global life expectancy has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but major disparities remain by region, according to a major new study.

COVID-19 quickly became the top cause of death worldwide when the pandemic swept the globe in 2020, dragging down life expectancy with it. People born in 2021 could expect to live to 71.7 on average.