In 2016, we had 14 521 sources from the scientific literature compared with 10 478 such sources used in GBD 2015. First, new data were incorporated based on 56 356 unique data sources these were composed mainly of peer-reviewed scientific literature identified by systematic reviews, reports from statistical agencies or ministries of health, household surveys, administrative data systems, claims data, and hospital data. This study adds new knowledge about YLD rates globally and improves upon prior iterations of the GBD study in seven ways. In 2016, there was a less than two times difference in age-standardised YLD rates for all causes between the location with the lowest rate (China, 9201 YLDs per 100 000, 95% UI 6862–11943) and highest rate (Yemen, 14 774 YLDs per 100 000, 11 018–19 228). Globally, we noted much less geographical variation in disability than has been documented for premature mortality. Men had higher age-standardised rates of substance use disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and all injuries apart from sexual violence.
Iron-deficiency anaemia, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and all musculoskeletal disorders apart from gout were the main conditions contributing to higher YLD rates in women. Age-standardised YLD rates for all conditions combined were 10♴% (95% UI 9♰–11♸) higher in women than in men. The largest absolute increases in total numbers of YLDs globally were between the ages of 40 and 69 years. Despite mostly stagnant age-standardised rates, the absolute number of YLDs from non-communicable diseases has been growing rapidly across all SDI quintiles, partly because of population growth, but also the ageing of populations. Age-standardised rates of YLDs for all causes combined decreased between 19 by 2♷% (95% UI 2♳–3♱). Globally, low back pain, migraine, age-related and other hearing loss, iron-deficiency anaemia, and major depressive disorder were the five leading causes of YLDs in 2016, contributing 57♶ million (95% uncertainty interval 40♸–75♹ million ), 45♱ million (29♰–62♸ million ), 36♳ million (25♳–50♹ million ), 34♷ million (23♰–49♶ million ), and 34♱ million (23♵–46♰ million ) of total YLDs, respectively.