The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan

Abstract Background Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers impose a substantial and growing disease burden in China, marked by elevated mortality and disability rates. Understanding disparities in cancer control strategies between China and developed countries (the US, the UK, and Japan) may...

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Main Authors: Zirui Li, Xin Chen, Shuai Han, Anhua Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23982-9
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author Zirui Li
Xin Chen
Shuai Han
Anhua Wu
author_facet Zirui Li
Xin Chen
Shuai Han
Anhua Wu
author_sort Zirui Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers impose a substantial and growing disease burden in China, marked by elevated mortality and disability rates. Understanding disparities in cancer control strategies between China and developed countries (the US, the UK, and Japan) may inform evidence-based policy improvements. Methods Using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, we analyzed incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for brain and CNS cancers (1990–2021). Trends were assessed via estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), while frontier analysis evaluated disease burden reduction capacity relative to socioeconomic development. Health inequalities were measured using the Slope Inequality Index (SII) and Concentration Index. Future trends were projected via ARIMA models. Results In 2021, China reported 105,541 new cases and 68,911 deaths. While China had lower age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and prevalence (ASPR) rates than comparison nations, its DALYs rate was higher. From 1990 to 2021, ASIR and ASPR increased universally, whereas age-standardized mortality (ASMR) and DALYs (ASDR) declined in China, the US, and the UK but rose in Japan. High-SDI regions exhibited greater burden mitigation capacity, with widening cross-country inequalities. Projections indicate rising ASIR in all nations by 2036. Conclusions Despite declining mortality, China’s brain and CNS cancer burden remains disproportionately high. Policymakers should integrate effective strategies from developed nations while tailoring interventions to China’s unique epidemiological and healthcare context.
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spelling doaj-art-00fbc67a886f466cb2816bb1f7afafa32025-08-20T04:02:42ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-23982-9The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and JapanZirui Li0Xin Chen1Shuai Han2Anhua Wu3Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityAbstract Background Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers impose a substantial and growing disease burden in China, marked by elevated mortality and disability rates. Understanding disparities in cancer control strategies between China and developed countries (the US, the UK, and Japan) may inform evidence-based policy improvements. Methods Using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, we analyzed incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for brain and CNS cancers (1990–2021). Trends were assessed via estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), while frontier analysis evaluated disease burden reduction capacity relative to socioeconomic development. Health inequalities were measured using the Slope Inequality Index (SII) and Concentration Index. Future trends were projected via ARIMA models. Results In 2021, China reported 105,541 new cases and 68,911 deaths. While China had lower age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and prevalence (ASPR) rates than comparison nations, its DALYs rate was higher. From 1990 to 2021, ASIR and ASPR increased universally, whereas age-standardized mortality (ASMR) and DALYs (ASDR) declined in China, the US, and the UK but rose in Japan. High-SDI regions exhibited greater burden mitigation capacity, with widening cross-country inequalities. Projections indicate rising ASIR in all nations by 2036. Conclusions Despite declining mortality, China’s brain and CNS cancer burden remains disproportionately high. Policymakers should integrate effective strategies from developed nations while tailoring interventions to China’s unique epidemiological and healthcare context.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23982-9Brain and CNS cancersEpidemiologyGlobal burden of diseaseDisability-adjusted life yearsHealth inequalityPrediction
spellingShingle Zirui Li
Xin Chen
Shuai Han
Anhua Wu
The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
BMC Public Health
Brain and CNS cancers
Epidemiology
Global burden of disease
Disability-adjusted life years
Health inequality
Prediction
title The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
title_full The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
title_fullStr The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
title_full_unstemmed The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
title_short The comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan
title_sort comparative burden of brain and central nervous system cancers from 1990 to 2021 between china the united states the united kingdom and japan
topic Brain and CNS cancers
Epidemiology
Global burden of disease
Disability-adjusted life years
Health inequality
Prediction
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23982-9
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