Global Disease Burden of Varicella‐Zoster Virus Infection: Multidimensional Analysis and Trend Projections

Varicella-zoster virus infection (VZVI) has been demonstrated to result in the onset of varicella and zoster, which has a significant impact on global public health. The objective of this study was to comprehensively analyze the disease burden of VZVI, to predict future trends, and to propose prevention and control strategies. A variety of statistical methods were employed to assess the burden of disease using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. The methods employed encompassed the analysis of its correlation with the socio-demographic index (SDI), the quantification of health inequalities, and the prediction of future trends. The findings indicate a global increase in the number of VZVI incident cases, accompanied by a decline in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and death rates from 1990 to 2021. The burden of disease exhibits significant variation across regions and countries, driven by factors such as population growth and epidemiological change. The findings of this study demonstrate the persistence of regional and age disparities and inequalities in the global burden of disease from VZVI, underscoring the necessity for enhanced management of low SDI regions. The study emphasizes the imperative for universal varicella vaccination, targeting children, as well as middle-aged and older adults. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of enhancing preventive and control measures in high-risk areas and optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources to address health inequalities.