New Delhi, 12 September, 2025: While the world witnessed a gradual decline in deaths caused by chronic diseases over the past decade, India recorded a worrying increase between 2010 and 2019, raising serious public health concerns. The trend highlights the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses in the country.
Global vs Indian TrendsGlobally, the number of deaths attributed to chronic diseases showed a modest reduction during the last decade, largely due to improved healthcare infrastructure, better preventive measures, early diagnosis, and access to treatment. Countries in Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia particularly reported success in lowering the toll of lifestyle-related diseases.
In contrast, India saw the opposite trend. According to health experts, deaths linked to chronic conditions steadily increased, signaling not just gaps in preventive care but also the rapid changes in lifestyle, urbanization, and demographic shifts. India’s growing population and increased life expectancy also contributed to the rise, as chronic diseases are more prevalent in older age groups.
Major Contributing FactorsUnhealthy Lifestyles – Rapid urbanization has brought about significant lifestyle changes. Sedentary habits, lack of exercise, poor diet, and rising consumption of processed food have become major contributors to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.Tobacco and Alcohol Use – India continues to struggle with high rates of tobacco consumption, both in smoking and smokeless forms. Alcohol use has also increased, especially among younger populations, exacerbating risks for liver disease and cardiovascular complications.
Air Pollution – Chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma have worsened due to poor air quality in India’s major cities. The World Health Organization has often flagged India for dangerously high pollution levels, which directly affect lung and heart health.Limited Access to Healthcare – Despite improvements in healthcare delivery, large sections of India’s population still lack timely access to quality care. Rural regions, in particular, face shortages of medical infrastructure, specialists, and essential medicines.
Rising Obesity and Diabetes – India is often referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world,” with millions living undiagnosed or untreated. Diabetes significantly raises the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.
The Way Forward
Experts suggest that India needs a multi-pronged strategy to tackle this growing crisis. Strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, and prioritizing preventive care through nationwide awareness campaigns are critical steps. Policies encouraging healthier diets, stricter tobacco control, and improved air quality standards could also help reverse the trend.
