Each year, roughly 17 million people die prematurely from cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 74% of total deaths globally; 86% of these are in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)1. Medical imaging has an essential role in the optimal diagnosis and management of the leading global causes of mortality, as recently identified by the World Health Organization (WHO)2. This includes cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease and stroke), respiratory disease (COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infections) and cancer. Cancer accounts for nearly one in six deaths worldwide — more than the number due to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. All these diseases affect both high-income countries and LMICs2but the burden of mortality disproportionally affects LMICs. Increasing access to medical imaging will save lives and achieve lasting benefits for countries and patients.
Although access to imaging is recognized as essential in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of these conditions3inequity in access, particularly in LMICs, has a direct effect on health outcomes. This was demonstrated by the recent Lancet Oncology Commission on Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, which established a detailed analysis of imaging equipment, workforce, policies and effect on patient outcomes through improved access to imaging globally4. Modeling the effect of better access to medical imaging globally for 11 common cancers suggests this approach could prevent 5.4 million deaths and save 54.92 million life-years over 10 years. A comprehensive scale-up of imaging, treatment and care quality could prevent 9.55 million deaths and save 232.3 million life-years globally, and yield a return of US$12.43 per dollar invested4.
