Making health our top priority in 2024
- The Navratri festivities in Gujarat underscored the alarming trend of heart-related issues affecting a diverse age group.
- It challenges the myth that NCDs primarily affect the elderly signifying a paradigm shift in India’s disease burden.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases have become a predominant public health concern.
Statistics and Global Context
- A World Health Organization (WHO) report, 'Invisible Numbers,' reveals that 66% of deaths in India in 2019 were attributed to NCDs.
- India faces a higher probability of 22% NCD-related deaths before the age of 70 compared to the global probability of 18%.
Factors Fueling NCDs
- Behavioural risk factors like unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and substance abuse contribute to the rise of NCDs.
- Genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyles, stress, anxiety, and depression exacerbate the silent epidemic.
Economic and Health Impact
- NCDs pose a substantial economic burden, with estimates suggesting a staggering cost of $4.58 trillion between 2012 and 2030 in India.
- Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes statistics underline the urgency of addressing the health crisis.
- India bears the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital with 101 million diabetics.
- Cardiovascular diseases top the mortality charts, and cancer incidence is projected to rise by 57.5% by 2040.
Individual Responsibility
- The government has launched initiatives such as the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke; and the 75/25 initiative.
- Despite government initiatives, individuals must take charge of their health, especially as India aims to become a $5 trillion economy.
- Integrating natural movement into daily routines, opting for 'slow food' over fast food, and undergoing regular health check-ups is recommended.
- Making health a common conversation topic to normalise discussions about well-being is encouraged.
Conclusion
- Winning the war against NCDs is not just vital for individual well-being; it’s a decisive factor in safeguarding the health of the nation.