Childhood cancer burden and health inequality: A systematic analysis from the global burden of diseases study 2021

Persistent disparities in childhood cancer outcomes highlight systemic inequities in healthcare access. High-SDI countries achieved significant mortality reductions, while low-SDI countries face escalating burdens due to delayed diagnoses and fragmented care. Prioritizing cost-effective innovations, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and implementing gender-sensitive policies are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3.4 targets. Global collaboration to expand cancer registries and equitable resource allocation is urgently needed to mitigate disparities.