Left Behind: Modelling the life expectancy disparities amongst people with disabilities in Low and Middle-Income Countries

ObjectiveTo use life tables to model the differences in life expectancy for people with and without disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). MethodsWe used data from a recent conducted a meta-analysis of analysis which gathered data from 70 studies to determine Hazard Ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality by disability status for children 0-15, adults 15-59, and adults 60+, using the World Health Organisations definition of disability. To assess the disparities in life expectancy among people with disabilities across 136 low and middle-income countries (LMICs), we constructed life tables using these HRs.gap compared to the population average. These calculations were based on the 2020 United Nations population projections. The life expectancy gap was meta-analysed across countries to calculate the mean difference. FindingsPeople with disabilities in LMIC had a mean life expectancy of 49.3 years (95%C.I. 47.4 - 51.2), compared to 68.5 years (95% C.I. 67.4 - 69.5) for the general population, giving a median gap of 19.2 years (95% C.I. 18.3 - 20.1). The disparity in life expectancy varied across countries, ranging from 9.6 years (95% C.I. 4.7 - 17.4) in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 30.6 years (95% C.I. 16.9 - 40.6) in Nigeria. ConclusionLife expectancy inequities represent an urgent threat to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities and achieving global goals. It is crucial to address the disparities in social determinants of health, and prioritise the inclusion of people with disabilities within health equity efforts to close this gap.