National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

Zheng Long; Ling-Ling Yu; Fan-Shu Yan; Pei-Pei Li; Li-Jun Wang; Mai-Geng Zhou; Bing-Xin Ji; Peng Yin

doi:10.1186/s40779-025-00681-5

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National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

RESEARCH | Updated：2026-08-20

- National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
- National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
- Military Medical Research 2026年13卷第7期页码：1042-1060
- Affiliations：
  
  Medical Affairs Office, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
  National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
  Department of Hematology, Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Author bio：
  
  * Bing-Xin Ji jbx@xwhosp.org
  Peng Yin yinpeng@ncncd.chinacdc.cn
- Funds：
  
  the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC2504606);the 2024 Hospital-level Project approved by Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University(QNPY202416)
- DOI：10.1186/s40779-025-00681-5
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-02-15，
  
  录用：2025-11-28，
  
  网络首发：2025-12-15，
  
  纸质出版：2026-07
- Accepted：
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Zheng Long, Ling-Ling Yu, Fan-Shu Yan, 等. National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023[J]. Military Medical Research, 2026,13(7):1042-1060.

Zheng Long, Ling-Ling Yu, Fan-Shu Yan, et al. National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023[J]. Military Medical Research, 2026, 13(7): 1042-1060.
Zheng Long, Ling-Ling Yu, Fan-Shu Yan, 等. National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023[J]. Military Medical Research, 2026,13(7):1042-1060. DOI： 10.1186/s40779-025-00681-5.

Zheng Long, Ling-Ling Yu, Fan-Shu Yan, et al. National and subnational burden and causes of anemia in China from 1990 to 2023: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023[J]. Military Medical Research, 2026, 13(7): 1042-1060. DOI： 10.1186/s40779-025-00681-5.

摘要

Abstract

Background

Anemia is a major global health problem. There were 89% of all anemia-related disabilities in developing countries. We aim to analyze the burden of anemia and its underlying causes in China from 1990 to 2023.

Methods

Utilizing the data of the 2023 Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2023) study

this study analyzed the burden of anemia in China between 1990 and 2023. Then we analyzed the number and rate of anemia attributed to 16 underlying causes for all genders and ages. Drivers of change in prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) numbers due to anemia were explored by decomposition analysis. And locally weighted regression was used to estimate the relationship between socio-demographic index (SDI) and age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized YLD rate due to anemia.

Results

From 1990 to 2023

the ASPR and age-standardized YLD rate showed a downward trend among all anemia types (

0.05)

and the ASPR and age-standardized YLD rate of anemia in females were higher than those in males. The highest number and rate of prevalence were found in mild anemia

and the highest number and rate of YLD were found in moderate anemia. As age increased

the prevalence and YLD rate of anemia increased

with a significant increase in females aged 20−54

in particular of moderate anemia. In 2023

the highest ASPR and age-standardized YLD rate among all anemia types were in the Northwestern regions. Compared to 1990

31 provinces

Hong Kong

and Macao exhibited decli

nes in both the ASPR and the age-standardized YLD rate for anemia. In China

most of the prevalent cases and YLD were attributable to dietary iron deficiency in 2023. The total prevalence of anemia decreased by 46.14% [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 27.54−61.02

]

of which age-specific rate

population growth

and population aging accounted for -77.32%

21.33%

and 9.84%

respectively. A negative association between SDI and the ASPR and age-standardized YLD rate of anemia was shown in China.

Conclusions

From 1990 to 2023

the burden of anemia in China has decreased but remained heavy among women of childbearing age

the elderly

and in the Northwestern region. Tailored prevention and control strategies should be strengthened to reduce the burden of anemia in high-risk areas.

关键词

Keywords

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