13 Ways the World Got Better in 2023

As in most years, much of the media focus in 2023 was on the myriad crises people all over the world faced, from horrific wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to devastating natural disasters (many climate-change-related) in Turkey, Southeast Africa, Hawaii, Canada, and more. At the end of this long year, though, it’s worth taking a step back and considering some of the ways things improved. Here are some examples, gathered together by TIME’s climate and health journalists: [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] COVID-19 death numbers plummeted… Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 has been a leading cause of death both in the U.S. and around the world. That began to change this year, thanks in part to widespread access to updated vaccines and treatments that prevent the worst of disease. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of early December, around 65,000 people in the U.S. had died from COVID-19 in 2023 —less than half the number who died from the virus in 2022 . The trends have been similarly dramatic—in a good way—at the global level, World Health Organization data show.—Jamie Ducharme …and life expectancy rose In the U.S., projected life expectancy is already creeping back upward as fewer lives are claimed by the virus, a trend that will likely continue as lifespan estimates reflect the progress made in 2023.—J.D. Electric vehicles actuall...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized climate change Climate Is Everything feature healthscienceclimate Source Type: news