India is one of the top countries with a diverse population. Due to this, it is one of the most vulnerable countries to communicable diseases. Apart from population, the other reasons for the spread of communicable diseases are lack of sanitation, poor hygiene regime, and scarcity of clean drinking water. Statistics show that many Indians fall prey to such communicable diseases due to their casual approach towards them until they become deadly. Due to this, the mortality rate is much affected. Seeing this scenario the medical infrastructure of the country is tirelessly working towards offering the best healthcare services but now even the health insurance sector is gearing up to offer financial protection to its customers by expanding its range of offerings and including the most common diseases.
Communicable disease refers to ailments that are caused by a healthy person coming in contact with an infected person. Such communicable diseases are spread due to inhaling airborne viruses, insect bites, or being in touch with the bodily fluids of an infected person. The communicable disease spreads among large people i.e. many get affected nearly around the same time. Such communicable diseases are often caused due to unhygienic living conditions, and lack of attention toward healthcare.
Despite the healthcare sector having significant advancements in terms of medication and technology we are still at risk of contracting a communicable disease at an alarming rate as there has been a rise in cases due to a sedentary lifestyle. Following is a list of common diseases that are affecting India.
| Name of the Communicable Disease | How Does the Disease Affect |
|---|---|
| Covid – 19 | COVID-19 has uprooted the medical health of the population across the globe. Since the outbreak of this deadly virus, the human race has been facing mild to severe respiratory sickness. There has been a rise in infections affecting the respiratory tract of individuals. Additionally, the disease spreads easily when a person with Covid 19 virus exhales, sneezes, or coughs the virus is expelled in the air. So, anyone around who comes in contact with this airborne virus gets affected. The treatment of this communicable disease is important as it is a life-threatening disease if kept untreated. Depending upon the symptoms the patient suffering from Covid 19 might need hospitalisation and isolation which might become an expensive treatment. Therefore if you have a health insurance plan it will help combat financial emergencies. |
| Malaria | It is one of the most common yet dangerous infectious diseases. Malaria is caused by a parasite called ‘Plasmodium’. When an infected mosquito bites a human being the parasites enter the bloodstream causing common symptoms like chills, fever with high temperature. In case unattended it can result in extreme situations leading to hospitalisation. Therefore having a health insurance plan will help in managing the finances without shelling out on savings. |
| Typhoid | Typhoid is a common yet deadly disease. It is caused due to bacterial infection that can cause harm to numerous organs in the human body. If not diagnosed in time it can lead to death. Salmonella typhi is the name of the bacteria that causes this disease. In areas with inadequate sanitation, typhoid disease is prevalent. |
| Tuberculosis | Tuberculosis commonly known as TB is a deadly illness that causes lung infection. Being an airborne disease the infection is caused due to inhaling infected air. |
| HIV | HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of fatal disease that affects the immune system of the body. If the virus is not treated in time AIDS can develop for which no treatment or remedy is available. |
| Hepatitis | It is one of the common infections caused to the liver resulting in inflammation and swelling of the organ. If untreated it causes hindrance in the liver functioning and results in damage to the liver. Hepatitis A and E are spread due to the intake of contaminated food and/or water. Additionally, Hepatitis E can also be caused due to eating uncooked or raw meat. Hepatitis B, C, and D are caused due to coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. |
| Influenza | Influenza is commonly known as flu. It is one of the most common infectious diseases. In this disease, the respiratory system of the human body is affected i.e. the lungs, throat, and nose. The common symptoms of this disease are high fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Influenza vaccinations are available however they are not 100% effective however they do lessen the risk of severe consequences of the disease. |
In India, the healthcare system is constantly upgrading by introducing new and inclusive products and services for its customers. With the increase in common communicable diseases amongst the population even the insurance sector has upgraded itself towards not limiting itself towards critical illnesses. Nowadays even the most common infections and diseases if kept untreated result in hospitalisation and within no time can become chronic.
Nowadays, the treatment costs and hospitalisation costs for common communicable diseases are also covered by insurance companies. Due to this, the policyholder can save a lot of money and get treatment at the best hospital and under the guidance of the best doctors. Health insurance is an important component of investment and with many major and minor diseases being covered, it offers peace of mind and financial security. Therefore, the policyholder needs to make careful choices in selecting the health insurance policy that covers all minor as well as major diseases.
India is a country with a high burden of disease. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for 17.5% of the global burden of disease. This means that a significant number of people in India are affected by diseases, leading to a high mortality rate and a significant economic burden.
The most common diseases in India can be broadly classified into communicable and non-communicable diseases. Communicable diseases are those capable of being transmitted from one person to another, whereas non-communicable diseases cannot be transmitted. Some of the major diseases in India include:
Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in India. According to a study published in the Lancet, cardiovascular diseases account for 28.1% of all deaths in India.
Respiratory diseases: Respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are also prevalent in India. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, respiratory diseases are responsible for 10.9% of all deaths in India.
Diabetes: India is known as the diabetes capital of the world, with an estimated 77 million people living with diabetes. This chronic disease can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Cancer: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in India, with an estimated 1.16 million new cases reported every year. The most common types of cancer in India include lung, breast, and cervical cancer.
Infectious diseases: India is also home to a wide range of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, and dengue. These diseases are responsible for a significant number of deaths in India, particularly in rural areas.
The high burden of disease in India has a significant impact on health insurance. Health insurance is a form of insurance that caters to the expenses related to medical and surgical treatments borne by the insured individual. Given the escalating healthcare expenses in India, health insurance has evolved into a requisite for numerous individuals.
One of the factors that can affect health insurance coverage is pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is a health condition that existed before the start of the insurance policy. In India, most health insurance policies have a waiting period of 2-4 years for pre-existing conditions.
This means that if you have a pre-existing condition, you may have to wait for a certain period before the insurance company will cover the cost of treatment for that condition. However, some insurance providers offer policies with shorter waiting periods or no waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
With so many health insurance policies available in India, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a health insurance policy:
In conclusion, India is home to a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. These diseases have a significant impact on health insurance, with most policies covering the cost of treatment for these diseases. When choosing a health insurance policy, consider factors such as coverage, network hospitals, waiting period for pre-existing conditions, premiums, and claim settlement ratio to find the right policy for you and your family.
