Health Talk: Chronic disease deaths rose in India as global rates fell

By Admin

15 Sep, 2025

Chronic diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), have been a growing health concern worldwide. While many countries have made progress in reducing mortality linked to conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke, recent findings suggest that India is moving in the opposite direction.

The Lancet Study Findings

A paper published last week in The Lancet, titled Benchmarking progress in non-communicable diseases: a global analysis of cause-specific mortality from 2001 to 2019, revealed a worrying trend for India. Unlike most countries, where NCD-related deaths declined in the decade leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, India saw a rise.

Key Causes of Rising Mortality

The increase in mortality was mainly due to ischaemic heart disease and diabetes, including diabetic kidney disease. These conditions are significantly influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity, stress, and inadequate healthcare access. The report highlighted that both men and women were affected, though women experienced a sharper rise in risk.

Gender-Based Differences

The probability of dying from an NCD between birth and age 80 increased more for Indian females compared to males. For men, the increase was just 0.1 percentage points, but women faced a steeper climb. The rise was driven by higher mortality rates above age 40 for females and above age 55 for males. This gender gap underlines the urgent need to focus on women’s health, which often goes under-prioritized in healthcare planning and awareness campaigns.

A Global Contrast

Between 2010 and 2019, the study noted, most countries recorded improvements in NCD-related health outcomes. For India, however, the period marked a deterioration—shifting from a phase of decline to one of increase. This contrast highlights how India is an outlier in the global fight against chronic diseases.

The Road Ahead

The findings serve as a wake-up call for India’s healthcare system, policymakers, and citizens alike. Preventive strategies such as early screening, awareness campaigns, lifestyle modifications, and improved access to treatment must be prioritized. Addressing risk factors like obesity, poor diet, tobacco use, and lack of physical activity is critical to reversing this trend.

Conclusion

As chronic diseases tighten their grip on India, the message from The Lancet is clear: while the world has managed to bend the curve on NCD-related deaths, India needs urgent, focused interventions to prevent a looming public health crisis. Without immediate action, the burden of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, and related conditions could weigh heavily on future generations.