{"id":50331,"date":"2025-08-04T18:41:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T13:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=50331"},"modified":"2025-08-05T12:43:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T07:13:42","slug":"non-communicable-diseases-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-08-2025\/non-communicable-diseases-in-india","title":{"rendered":"Non-communicable Diseases in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Three decades ago, <strong>non-communicable diseases (NCDs)<\/strong> were rare in the villages; however, today, low- and middle-income countries confront an NCD burden that has spread from cities to villages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NCDs also known as <strong>chronic diseases<\/strong>, tend to be of <strong>long duration <\/strong>and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The main types of NCDs are<\/strong> cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The major NCDs share four behavioral risk factors:<\/strong> unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and use of tobacco and alcohol.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NCDs including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for <strong>74% of all deaths worldwide.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They disproportionately affect people in<strong> low- and middle-income countries<\/strong>, where nearly three quarters of global NCD deaths occur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>NCDs in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NCDs account for 60% of all deaths in India.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cardiovascular diseases<\/strong> (coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension) contribute to <strong>45% of all NCD <\/strong>deaths followed by chronic respiratory disease (22 %), cancers (12 %) and diabetes (3%).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tobacco use<\/strong> has been identified as the <strong>single largest risk factor<\/strong> attributable to NCDs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approximately<strong> one in four Indians faces<\/strong> the risk of dying from an NCD before reaching the age of 70.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why NCDs Are Rising in India?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Unhealthy Diets:<\/strong> Shift towards processed, high-fat, high-sugar, and low-fibre foods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Physical Inactivity: <\/strong>Sedentary lifestyle due to urbanisation and digitalisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Substance Use:<\/strong> Increased tobacco and alcohol consumption, especially among youth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental Factors: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/air-pollution\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/air-pollution\/\"><strong>Air pollution<\/strong><\/a> is a major contributor to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Preventive Healthcare:<\/strong> Weak emphasis on preventive care in public health system.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Low levels of awareness, screening, and early detection of NCDs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Double Burden of Disease:<\/strong> India faces both communicable diseases and NCDs, stretching already limited health infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Socioeconomic Inequality: <\/strong>Poor and marginalised populations have limited access to quality healthcare, healthy food, and education.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NCDs are rising even among the low-income groups due to nutrition transition and lack of awareness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concern of High NCDs Burden<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Epidemiological Transition: <\/strong>India is witnessing a shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases, even in rural areas.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many regions face both infectious diseases and rising NCDs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic and Social Impact: <\/strong>High out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for long-term treatment.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Affects productivity, especially among the working-age population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pushes many households into poverty due to prolonged healthcare costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Health System Challenges:<\/strong> Primary healthcare is traditionally focused on maternal-child and infectious diseases.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is inadequate screening, poor awareness, and lack of trained workforce for chronic disease management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps Taken by Government of India to Prevent NCDs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) 2010: <\/strong>Government of India provides <strong>technical and financial support<\/strong> to the States\/UTs under the programme as part of <strong>National Health Mission (NHM).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Screening under NHM:<\/strong> A <strong>population-based initiative<\/strong> for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Persons more than <strong>30 years of age<\/strong> are targeted for their screening for the<strong> three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Screening of these <strong>common cancers<\/strong> is an integral part of service delivery under <strong>Ayushman Bharat \u2013 Health and Wellness Centres.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awareness Programmes:<\/strong> Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about Cancer and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of<strong> National Cancer Awareness Day &amp; World Cancer Day.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fit India Movement:<\/strong> It is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,<\/strong> and various Yoga related activities are carried out by the <strong>Ministry of AYUSH.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eat Right India Movement: <\/strong>Led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promotes healthy eating habits, reduction in trans fats, salt, and sugar intake.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Measures: <\/strong>Ban on e-cigarettes (2019).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Front-of-pack labelling and restrictions on junk food near schools under FSSAI guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthen primary healthcare <\/strong>for early screening and continuous management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promote lifestyle interventions: <\/strong>Physical activity, healthy diet, anti-tobacco campaigns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase public financing for NCDs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use digital health tools<\/strong> and telemedicine to expand reach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multi-sectoral approach<\/strong> involving urban planning, food systems, education, and environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/health\/why-non-communicable-diseases-are-rising-in-rural-india\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Three decades ago, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were rare in the villages; however, today, low- and middle-income countries confront an NCD burden that has spread from cities to villages.\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">NCDs also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs-hindi\/04-08-2025\/non-communicable-diseases-in-india\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":50365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/non-communicable-diseases-in-india.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50331"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50331\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50390,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50331\/revisions\/50390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}