Chronic Disease Deaths Rising in India, Women Face Higher Risk: Lancet Report
India has recorded a troubling rise in deaths from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, with women disproportionately affected, according to a new global analysis published in The Lancet. The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), assessed the probability of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) before the age of 80 across 185 countries. Findings show that while 4 out of 5 countries witnessed a decline in premature mortality linked to chronic conditions between 2010 and 2019, India — along with Papua New Guinea — bucked the trend, reporting increases for both men and women. Alarmingly, Indian women experienced a steeper rise in risk compared to men. “Heart disease and diabetes were major contributors to India’s increase in deaths from chronic illnesses,” the researchers noted. By contrast, nations such as China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, and Brazil reported reductions in NCD-related mortality for both sexes. Globally, declines in deaths from cancers and cardiovascular conditions were offset by increases in fatalities caused by dementia, alcohol use disorders, and pancreatic and liver cancers. The findings are significant in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030. Researchers warn that without urgent investment and targeted interventions, India risks falling further behind in tackling its chronic disease burden. The report comes just ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on September 25, where world leaders will revisit global strategies to prevent and control NCDs, as well as promote mental health and well-being. Source: PTI Photo Credit: iStock
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