NCDs accounted for roughly 5.87 million deaths, representing 60% of all fatalities in the country. Moreover, India accounted for over two-thirds of the total NCD-related deaths in the Southeast Asia Region. NCDs also result in productivity losses through premature mortality, early exits from the labour force, absenteeism, and reduced work capacity, posing a substantial obstacle to socioeconomic development. It is estimated that each 10% increase in NCD mortality leads to a 0.5% decrease in annual economic growth. Globally, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes.Dr. Mohanan Padinhare, HOD Cardiology,Westfront Hitech Hospital, kerala told modifidifiable behaviours, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol, all increase the risk of NCDs.
Tobacco accounts for over 8 million deaths every year (including from the effects of exposure to second-hand smoke). 1.8 million Annualdeaths have been attributed to excess salt/sodium intake. More than half of the 3 million annual deaths attributable to alcohol use are from NCDs, including cancer. 830 000 deaths annually can be attributed to insufficient physical activity says Dr. Prakash Kr. Hazra, interventioal cardiologist and HOD AMRI Manipal Hospital.
Metabolic risk factors contribute to four key metabolic changes that increase the risk of NCD raised blood pressure; overweight/obesity, hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels); and hyperlipidaemia (high levels of fat in the blood). Several environmental risk factors contribute to NCDs. Air pollution is the largest of these, accounting for 6.7 million deaths globally, says Dr. Hazra.
The largest nationally representative population-based study (INDIA-DAIB)on diabetes and metabolic NCDs undertaken in India covering all 28 states of the country, two union territories, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi involving 113 043 individuals (79 506 from rural areas and 33 537 from urban areas) shows that India now has a much higher prevalence of metabolic NCDs than shown by previous estimates.As per this study in 2021, 101 million people had diabetes, and the number with prediabetes was 136 million. About 315 million people in India had hypertension, 254 million had generalised obesity, and 351 million had abdominal obesity. In addition, 213 million people had hypercholesterolaemia and 185 million had high LDL cholesterol. To lessen the impact of NCDs on individuals and society, a comprehensive approach is needed requiring all sectors, including health, finance, transport, education, agriculture, planning and others, to collaborate to reduce the risks associated with NCDs, and to promote interventions to prevent and control them says DR. Soumitra Kumar, president Cardiological Society Of India.
Investing in better management of NCDs is critical. Management ofNCDs includes detecting, screening and treating these diseases, and providing access to palliative care for people in need. High impact essential NCD interventions can be delivered through a primary health care approach to strengthen early detection and timely treatment. Evidence shows such interventions are excellent economic investments because, if provided early to patients, they can reduce the need for more expensive treatment. Countries with inadequate health care coverage are unlikely to provide universal access to essential NCD interventions. NCD management interventions are essential for achieving the SDG target on NCDs Women need special attention as the prevalence of NCDs among women is 62 per 1,000, as compared to 36 per 1,000 men. In response to the “WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020”, India is the first country to adopt the National Action Plan with specific national targets and indicators aimed at reducing the number of global premature deaths from NCDs. People should join together to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one third by 2030, the commitment made in 2015, as a part of Sustainable Development Goals. The strategies must envisage the urgent need to halt and reverse the growing incidence of NCDs.The epidemic of NCDs cannot be halted simply by treating the sick, healthy persons have to be protected by addressing the root causes. Reducing the major risk factors for NCDs must be the the key focus to prevent deaths/morbidities from NCDs. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 3, the global ambition is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030. We should also realise that NCDs are going to cost India around $ 3.6 trillion by 2030.
Tackling the risk factors will therefore not only save lives, it will also provide a huge boost for the economic development of the country.The individuals in the age groups of 30 years and above are targeted for risk assessment and screening of common NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer). The risk factors for NCDs are behaviours established in childhood and adolescence. Today 81% of adolescents do not get enough physical activity, 150 million use tobacco products worldwide, 12% are heavy episodic drinkers, 41 million children over 5 are overweight or obese, and over 90% of those under 15 breath toxic air every day. India spends only about 1% of its gross domestic product on public health, compared with 5.55% in China and 17.14 % in the United States in 2014. India’s per-capita expenditure on health research is less than $1. A nation is prosperous when the health system of the country is strong which is backed up by significant and strong health research feeds. Recognizing the detrimental impact of NCDs on individuals, families, and the healthcare system, it becomes imperative for stakeholders to prioritize concerted action. Through evidence-based interventions and policies, from tobacco control measures to initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship, stakeholders can effect meaningful change. By embracing this call to action and harnessing collective resources, India can take significant strides toward mitigating the NCD burden, fostering a healthier future for its population.
