Apollo Hospitals on Friday revealed the fourth edition of its annual report “Health of the Nation”. The report indicated a significant rise in non-communicable diseases across India.
The report reveals that in the last two decades, non-communicable diseases have increased, and they become the major cause of death in the country. According to the report, of all the non-communicable diseases, compared to the global rates, cancer cases in India are increasing rapidly, making India the cancer capital of the world.
By 2025, the number of cancer cases in India is anticipated to increase notably, touching about 15.7 lakh up from 13.9 lakh cases in 2020. In India, the most common cancers in women are breast, cervix, and ovarian cancer, and in men prostate cancer.
According to median age statistics, compared to other nations, the diagnosis of cancer in India arises at a younger age. Colon cancer was once associated mostly with older people is now impacting younger people. India's screening tests for cancer are much lower compared with global standards. The report emphasizes the immediate necessity for dedicated actions in preventive healthcare.
The report also reveals the rising number of mental health concerns between the age groups of 18-40 years. In mental health concerns, depression is impending as a serious health issue among younger people between the age groups of 18 to 25.
The report also mentioned that chronic stress is leading to the occurrence of hypertension and diabetes and also mentioned obesity, the leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases has increased. Most of the population is living with unhealthy waist-to-hip ratios and belly fat. According to the report, 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men had a higher waist-to-hip ratio than the suggested. It also showed that high blood pressure and pre-diabetes are increasing among the younger population.
Apollo Hospitals' "Health of the Nation" report underscores the significance of early screening and regular monitoring. Early diagnosis of ailments such as breast cancer can ameliorate survival rates. Proper monitoring of health statistics can result in the improvement of blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and body weight.
Apollo Hospitals Vice Chairperson Dr. Preetha Reddy said that the significance of health in India's development cannot be exaggerated. She said that with their Health of the Nation report, they aspire to draw recognition and attention to the ever-expanding burden of non-communicable diseases, and firmly admit that the entire healthcare ecosystem and the nation necessities to come together and have a unified outlook to fight NCDs in the truest sense.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)