World Health Day 2024: Is India Facing A Growing Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Crisis?

Finally, financial support is crucial in increasing healthcare spending, mainly targeting NCD prevention and treatment as a percentage of GDP.

The latest report indicates significant growth in non-communicable diseases across the nation and says the country is witnessing the fastest rise in cancer cases. A 2023 report states NCDs were responsible for maximum out-of-pocket expenditure in India. The report also dubbed India as the cancer capital of the world.

NCD Epidemic Range

The multifaceted factors fueling the NCD epidemic range from sedentary lifestyles to dietary shifts and socioeconomic disparities. Rapid urbanization, shifts in dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and the ageing of the population fuel this transition. As a result, the burden of NCDs across the country has risen considerably.

Understanding the risk factors associated with NCDs is paramount for devising effective prevention and control strategies tailored to India's unique context:

1. Alarmingly, the prevalence of NCD risk factors in India, such as tobacco use, unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, harmful alcohol consumption, obesity, elevated blood pressure, and heightened blood glucose levels. The economic and social impacts of NCDs in India are profound for individuals and households, leading to a heightened risk of catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure and loss of household income.
2. Various interventions have been proposed to address these risk factors and curb the prevalence of NCDs in the country. This initiative prioritizes bolstering infrastructure, fostering human resources, promoting health awareness, conducting population-based screenings (for individuals aged 30 and above), and facilitating early diagnosis, management, and appropriate referrals.

3. Health promotion initiatives are crucial in advocating for healthy lifestyles through health education and behaviour change communication. Stringent enforcement of tobacco control laws and implementation of measures, such as increased taxes on tobacco products, is imperative to combat tobacco use, a prominent risk factor for NCDs. The CBAC form is designed to help community health workers, and other healthcare professionals identify individuals at risk of NCDs in the community.
4. Additionally, promoting physical activity through sports and recreational activities is essential to combat sedentarism, a known risk factor for NCDs. Encouraging people to engage in regular exercise can contribute to improved health outcomes and reduced NCD prevalence. Moreover, advocating for healthy dietary habits, including consumption of diets low in salt, sugar, and saturated/trans-fats, is essential to mitigate the risk of NCDs. Dietary interventions play a crucial role in preventing and managing NCDs.

Summary

Furthermore, efforts to control air pollution, both indoor and ambient, are vital to reducing the risk of NCDs associated with environmental factors. Implementing measures to control emissions and minimize exposure to pollutants can mitigate the burden of NCDs. Similarly, enforcing laws against excessive alcohol consumption and implementing taxation measures are essential components of alcohol control strategies to address alcohol-related NCDs. Moreover, strengthening infrastructure, human resources, and health systems for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and referral of NCDs is critical to preventive efforts.

Conclusion

Additionally, prioritizing research to identify effective NCD prevention and control interventions is essential. Developing a national research agenda can guide funding allocation and establish research priorities to address the NCD burden effectively. Finally, financial support is crucial in increasing healthcare spending, mainly targeting NCD prevention and treatment as a percentage of GDP.

(This article has been verified by a Gynaecologist and an IVF specialist, Dr Sabine Kapasi, Co-Founder and MD at Enira Consulting Pvt Ltd)