Growing Health Problems in India

Various factors have affected the health of Indians, like pollution, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diets, etc. Although a health insurance plan indeed helps out with the out of pocket expenses, we need to understand why there has been a sudden rise in the health problems in India.

Current Statistics on Health Problems in India

Here are a few key statistics on health problems in India that might blow your mind:

Major Health Problems in India

The major health issues that Indians face nowadays are as follows:

1. Obesity

Obesity has become one of the major concerns for today’s generation. Obesity is the excess of fat in the body. Youths of today are having high BMIs, excess body fat, and diseases that come with obesity. The major culprit for this is junk food, limited outdoor activities and sedentary lifestyle. Over 30% of today’s kids in India are obese.

2. Heart-related Issues

Cardiovascular diseases remain as the major reason behind deaths in India. Diseases and conditions related to heart and blood vessels fall under Cardiovascular diseases. These diseases lead to heart-attacks and blockage. Cardiovascular diseases can be controlled with proper diet and a balanced lifestyle, if not genetic.

3. Mental Health Issues

Stress levels amongst youth of India is at an all time high. Depression, anxiety, stress, are more common in India than you think. This is a result of many social and cultural factors along with limited access to mental healthcare. But, people have started addressing this issue, and many awareness campaigns are seen nowadays to help with mental issues.

4. Cancer

Oral, breast, lung, stomach and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancers in India. After heart-related conditions, cancer is the next leading cause of deaths in adults in India. Cancer can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, and also can be treated if detected in the early stages. However, if cancer goes untreated and unnoticed and develops into the later stages treatments can lead to many complications and often late stage cancer will lead to death.

5. Respiratory Disorders

India is notorious for air pollution. Metropolitan cities of India have a really bad AQI, and often land in the top 10 most air polluted cities in the world. Along with this, smoking and tobacco use has led to respiratory disorders in India. Diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, and bronchitis are the leading cause of death through respiratory disorders in children and in adults.

6. Diabetes

Diabetes is the most dangerous health threat today in India, as it leads to many other critical illnesses like heart problems, chronic kidney disorders, vision-loss, etc. The major causes of diabetes are a sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits. Indians are seen with high blood sugar levels. Even children under the age of 12 are suffering from diabetes. One of the scariest parts about diabetes is its called the “silent killer” as there are no particular symptoms to detect diabetes early.

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Causes of Health Problems in India

Here are the main causes of health problems in India:

• Pollution

Air pollution is prominent in India. Not only that, but waste from industries is let out into the water-bodies untreated. This has resulted in many diseases and disorders like COPD, Asthma and other chronic disorders.

• Bad hygiene and Living Conditions

Many areas in India still live in a much worse condition, where cleanliness is not the priority. Slums and certain rural areas still suffer from unhygienic practices. This has led to diseases like typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, etc.

• Limited access to healthcare

The healthcare system in India can get expensive, especially in urban cities. People tend to avoid seeking medical care as they cannot afford it. Health insurance comes into play here, saving you by helping you get quality healthcare. So get insured, and save money while saving your health.

• Overcrowdedness

India is a densely populated country. Communicable diseases like TB, dengue, malaria, hepatitis, influenza prevail in crowded places and spread like wildfire.

• Poverty

Malnourishment is a major problem in the slum areas. Poverty leads to limited accessibility to healthcare as well. Although government schemes are out for the poor, the problem still persists.

• Sedentary Lifestyle

Today’s generation has become sedentary. With limited outdoor activities, and sitting in front of the computer for work for hours has led to problems of obesity, diabetes and heart conditions.

Impact of Lifestyle on Health Problems in India

In this modern era, people have shifted to a more convenient, sedentary lifestyle. This has resulted in limited physical activity and consuming unhealthy food. Processed and junk food has given rise to problems of obesity, diabetes and other heart-related conditions. Constant screen time with reduced quality of sleep has resulted in mental health problems like depression, anxiety, OCD, etc.

While technology has made life easier in India, it does take a toll on health. Diabetes and Obesity are the major lifestyle health problems. Alcohol and tobacco consumption also has led to many respiratory, kidney and liver problems, and is prevalent in urban and semi-urban areas. All this can be avoided with a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise, go out in the sun in the morning, take breaks from screen time and you will have a much better health than before.

Economic Impact of Rising Health Problems

Lifestyle diseases like diabetes can become expensive (regular use of insulin injections medications, dietary restrictions). In India, if you get a major health problem, your savings will take a hit. Medical healthcare is advanced in India, especially in urban areas, but the cost of medical care is too high. ICU costs you a fortune, and medicine rates, although cheaper than the countries in the west, still can get expensive for a family. Health insurance for sure helps you out on the financial side, but the best way to secure your financial well being is to secure your health. Stay healthy and not only will you feel good about yourself, you will also be saving money. Stay healthy, stay wealthy.

Government Initiatives to Combat Health Problems in India

The Government of India is trying to tackle health problems and innovate technology to help out the healthcare sector. The government has launched a few initiatives to address these problems, helping the needy and providing technological advancement in the industry:

1. Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY

Provides free health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.

2. National Health Mission (NHM)

Strengthens public healthcare systems in rural and urban areas through infrastructure and services.

3. Fit India Movement

Encourages citizens to adopt active lifestyles and regular physical exercise.

4. Eat Right India

Aims to promote safe, healthy, and sustainable diets through food safety and awareness campaigns.

5. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)

Focuses on early detection and management of major non-communicable diseases.

6. POSHAN Abhiyaan

Targets malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers with nutritional interventions.

7. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)

Provides accessible mental healthcare and integrates it into general healthcare services.

8. Mission Indradhanush

Ensures full immunisation for children under two years and pregnant women against vaccine-preventable diseases.

9. Tobacco Control Programme

Aims to reduce tobacco consumption through awareness, cessation services, and policy enforcement.

10. Jal Jeevan Mission

Ensures access to safe drinking water, reducing waterborne diseases in rural India.

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What Can Be Done to Solve Health Issues in India?

Health problems can be solved starting from your own home. The first step is to get healthy. Here are a few tips to ensure a good healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a balanced diet

• Practice cleanliness, starting from your own home.

• Address to mental health, get therapy if needed.

• Exercise regularly

• Get vaccinated for preventable diseases

• Get regular full body checkups for any underlying diseases

• Buy Health Insurance to ensure financial stability

• Take a break from screen time

• Attend awareness programmes

• Seek medical care for symptoms, do not overlook them

• Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking

Key Takeaways

The growing rate of health problems in India is concerning. We should contribute to ensure India becomes healthier. We can start by getting healthy ourselves, and then help out those in need. While coming to the topic of helping out, health insurance helps you out financially in case of a healthcare requirement. Get the best health insurance quotes today. Make sure you live a healthy lifestyle and stay far away from diseases.

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