Diabetes, blood pressure and cancer cases are rising rapidly in India – Times of India

India is witnessing accelerated rise in the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Out of 6.51 crore people diagnosed at state run NCD clinics during 2018, over 40 lakh were detected with hypertension, more than 31 lakh with diabetes, whereas over 11 lakh people were suffering from both hypertension and diabetes. Besides, another around 2 lakh were diagnosed for other cardiovascular diseases and 1.68 lakh with common cancers, the National Health Profile (NHP), 2019 released by health ministry shows.The data shows number of people visiting these NCD clinics for screening almost doubled in one year from 3.5 crore in 2017 to 6.5 crore in 2018.The higher number of screening and detected cases shows both increase in awareness as well as disease burden, public health experts and officials said.While the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) was launched in 2010 in 100 districts across 21 states with the aim to prevent and control these diseases thorough awareness generation, behaviour and lifestyle changes.

The programme picked up pace in February 2017 with the health ministry rolling out a massive free door-to-door screening programme for early detection of cancer, heart disorders and diabetes, which account for over 35% of all deaths in India.

Of the total 6.5 crore people screened, the incidence of diabetes was found to be 4.75%, while that of hypertension was 6.2%. Besides diabetes and hypertension, the NHP also recorded 0.3% incidence of cardiovascular diseases, 0.1% stroke and 0.26% incidence of common cancers including oral, breast and cervix.

Decline in morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases have been accompanied by a gradual shift to, and accelerated rise in the prevalence of chronic NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers, mental health disorders and injuries, the NHP report said.

Life expectancy rises to 68.7 years

Life expectancy in India has increased from 49.7 years in 1970-75 to 68.7 years in 2012-16, as per the National Health Profile, 2019. For the same period, the life expectancy for females is 70.2 years and 67.4 years for males. For comparison, in last years survey, the life expectancy had increased from 49.7 years in 1970-75 to 68.3 years in 2011-15. For the same period, the life expectancy for females is 70 years and 66.9 years for males. So there has been an increase in life expectancy in general, and also for males. The infant mortality rate has declined (33 per 1,000 live births in 2016), however differentials of rural (37) & urban (23) are still high.

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Diabetes, blood pressure and cancer cases are rising rapidly in India - Times of India