India’s health system has, for decades, been built around treatment. Yet the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), heart ailments, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes is forcing a rethink. These four account for 71 per cent of global deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In India, they cause 5.87 million deaths a year, 60 per cent of the total.
Prevention needs immediate attention
NCDs develop over years, led by a mix of genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and physiological factors. The impact is counted in premature deaths and economic loss. By 2030, NCDs could cost India USD4.58 trillion, with heart disease and mental health issues making up the bulk of it.
Senior citizens face the sharpest impact. Over half live with at least one chronic illness. Hypertension affects 14 per cent, diabetes 9 per cent, and heart disease 8.1 per cent, according to BMJ Open (2021). These conditions mean lifelong medication, dietary restrictions, and, in many cases, social stigma that delays treatment.
The problem is growing among the young, too. The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2019) reports rising NCD indicators in children aged 5 to 9 and adolescents aged 10 to 19. AIIMS Nagpur and UNICEF Maharashtra have begun early screening programmes to identify and tackle these risks before they take root.
Behavioural change post-COVID-19
The pandemic shifted public attitudes towards health. A national survey found that 70per cent of Indians now actively prioritise overall health and precautionary measures in daily life. Per capita spending on health foods is projected to double by 2026, with consumers willing to pay more for healthier alternatives.
On the policy front, the “75/25” initiative aims to provide standardised care to 75 million people with diabetes and hypertension by December 2025. By March 2025, the programme had reached 42 million individuals with hypertension treatment and 25 million with diabetes care, 89per cent of its target.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS), and the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) are laying the groundwork for preventive care. The Fit India Movement is pushing more people to make physical activity a part of daily life.