In a striking shift in public health trends, India has seen a concerning rise in deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet. While most countries saw a decline in mortality from these chronic conditions between 2010 and 2019, India was among the few where deaths increased, highlighting a silent but growing epidemic.
The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London, tracked mortality data related to non-communicable diseases across 195 countries. It assessed age-specific risks and trends before and after the COVID-19 pandemic era, drawing particular attention to countries that have either succeeded or fallen behind in managing these preventable illnesses.
In India, both men and women experienced increased risk of death from ischemic heart disease and diabetes-related conditions like chronic kidney disease. “The increase was more prominent among women,” the study noted, with the rise starting after age 40 for women and after age 55 for men. By contrast, countries like China, Brazil, and the U.S. saw measurable declines in similar mortality rates.
Interestingly, the research did note some positive shifts in India. Deaths from liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain cancers like stomach cancer declined, particularly among men. However, these gains were not enough to offset the overall upward trend in non-communicable diseases mortality.
Experts attribute the rise to widespread lifestyle changes in India over the past two decades—poor diets, sedentary behavior, increased stress, and substance use being major contributors. The Indian Council of Medical Research reports that the share of deaths due to non-communicable diseases jumped from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016, painting a clear picture of shifting disease burdens.
The findings serve as a wake-up call for India to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, especially for preventive care and early diagnosis, if it hopes to reverse this deadly trend.
Reference: Metabolic non-communicable diseases in India: time to act, Habeeb, Shifa et al., The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 11, Issue 12, 897 - 898
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