What’s killing Indians: share of cardiac and diabetic deaths soar

By Admin

28 May, 2025

India has been witnessing a significant shift in its mortality patterns over the past few decades. Traditionally, communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrhoea were the leading causes of death. However, with improvements in healthcare and sanitation, the country gradually moved towards a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes. Yet, recent trends have revealed alarming changes, especially amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shift from Communicable to Non-Communicable Diseases

India’s long-term health transition has seen a steady decline in deaths caused by communicable diseases. Deaths due to malaria, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, and perinatal conditions have significantly reduced, thanks to improved healthcare access, vaccination programs, and better public health measures. This shift reflected India’s progress in controlling infectious diseases and improving overall life expectancy.

Simultaneously, the share of deaths due to non-communicable diseases   particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes   has surged dramatically. These chronic conditions have become the leading killers, linked to lifestyle changes, urbanization, sedentary habits, poor diet, and increasing obesity rates. This rise is particularly concerning as it places a heavy burden on India’s healthcare infrastructure and economy.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mortality Patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted India’s mortality trends. While the country was on a steady path of decreasing communicable disease deaths, the pandemic caused a sharp surge in deaths due to the virus itself and reversed the declining trend of infectious diseases temporarily.

During this period, deaths from COVID-19 surged, overshadowing the steady rise in non-communicable disease mortality. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in public health and healthcare delivery systems, especially in managing chronic illnesses alongside a new infectious threat.

Fevers of Unknown Origin and Cancer Trends

Interestingly, while deaths from many communicable diseases declined, the share of deaths due to fevers of unknown origin has increased over the years. This rise highlights gaps in diagnostic capabilities and public health monitoring that need urgent attention.

On the other hand, deaths from cancer in India have remained relatively stable over time. This could indicate that while cancer is a major health challenge, it has not seen the sharp increases observed in cardiovascular and diabetic mortality rates.

The Growing Burden of Cardiac and Diabetic Deaths

Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are now the top killers among Indians, accounting for a significant share of mortality. Factors like rising hypertension, increased blood sugar levels, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and lack of physical activity contribute heavily to this crisis.

The healthcare system faces the dual challenge of managing the growing burden of chronic diseases while still addressing communicable diseases and new health threats like COVID-19. This calls for urgent public health interventions focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective management of NCDs.

Conclusion

India’s evolving mortality landscape tells a critical story   one where the rise in cardiac and diabetic deaths threatens the health and economic future of millions. While communicable diseases continue to decline, the surge in non-communicable diseases and the impact of COVID-19 emphasize the need for a robust, multi-dimensional healthcare strategy.

To combat these challenges, India must invest in preventive healthcare, promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen disease surveillance, and improve healthcare infrastructure. Only through such comprehensive efforts can India hope to reduce the soaring death rates from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and secure a healthier future for its population.