The report gives critical insights on non-communicable disease trends across the country
On the occasion of World Health Day, Apollo Hospitals unveiled the Health of the Nation2022 report highlighting the prevalence and distribution of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country. Based on 16 million anonymized responses to the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Scanner by Apollo 24/7, the report gives critical insights on trends in NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, COPD and asthma, obesity in different regions of the country. The report also underscores the potential of AI and data analytics in the prediction of risk and early identification as well as management of NCDs.
Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “An analysis of the data from 3.8 Lakh responses to the COVID Scanner shows the criticality of addressing the NCD challenge using all the tools at our disposal. The data indicates a national prevalence for diabetes mellitus of around 7 per cent, over 8 per cent for hypertension, and around 2% for COPD and asthma. Considering our population of 1.2 billion., these are huge numbers that will increase the burden of disease and impact productivity and economic growth. We must address the NCD challenge through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, early diagnosis and management. We must approach Health as an investment and not as an expenditure.”
Key findings of the report on Diabetes Mellitus show an increased prevalence in the southern and eastern parts of the country with an average national prevalence of 6.96 per cent. Urban areas showed a higher prevalence at 7.01 per cent as compared to rural areas with 6.7 per cent. The study also showed obesity in women over 35 years of age leads to poor diabetes control and increased risk of heart disease and other complications. Data also indicated poor diabetes control in women with high cholesterol with a 0.5 increase in HbA1c diabetes marker levels.
In hypertension, the study showed a national prevalence of high blood pressure at over 8.18 per cent with a higher incidence in North and East India. Data also indicated that adult males between the ages of 36 to 50 years have a 36 per cent higher chance of developing hypertension than adult females in the same age range. Urban areas at 8.6 per cent showed a higher incidence as compared to rural areas with 7.58 per cent.
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and asthma showed an incidence similar to global numbers at 2 per cent. Here, females between 36 to 50 years of age showed a 1.3 times higher chance of developing COPD as compared to males.
NCDs pose devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities with socioeconomic costs that can derail India’s achieving the target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030 in line with the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The theme of World Health Day this year is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’, which is a powerful reminder to put the health of individuals and the planet at the centre of our actions to create societies focused on well-being. Our annual Health of the Nation study collating a vast amount of real-world data on the prevalence, incidence and risks of disease has led to insights that will help us optimally allocate resources and develop the right strategy to tackle the NCD pandemic.”
The Health of the Nation study also looked at corporate employee data of about thirty-five thousand, where the average prevalence of at least one NCD in employees is about 56 per cent. The NCD risk factors of high cholesterol are prevalent in 48 per cent of employees and obesity in 18 per cent of employees. There is variability across sectors, indicating that more sedentary corporate settings should consider ways to help their employees proactively reduce these risks.
