India Seeing Rise In Chronic Disease Deaths, Finds Study

A new global study has flagged an uncomfortable truth: while most countries are cutting down deaths from lifestyle diseases, India is going the other way. The report, published in The Lancet, shows that between 2010 and 2019, nearly four out of five countries reduced mortality linked to chronic ailments, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and kidney disorders. India was one of the few countries that saw an increase.

The findings are particularly stark for women. The risk of dying from a non-communicable disease (NCD) before the age of 80 has risen, especially among women above 40. Men over 55 are also showing higher death rates. The shift suggests that illnesses often dismissed as “urban problems” are now affecting wider sections of the population, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

Why The Numbers Are Rising

Heart disease and diabetes, including kidney damage tied to high blood sugar, remain the biggest culprits. Doctors and public health researchers point to familiar reasons: diets heavy on refined food, lack of physical activity, long commutes, stress, and poor follow-up on routine check-ups.

There are some silver linings though. Deaths from cirrhosis, stroke, certain cancers, and chronic lung conditions have either slowed or declined. But the progress in these areas is being overshadowed by the surge in lifestyle-driven diseases.

One reason the scale of the crisis is not fully understood is India’s weak mortality reporting. The study rates the quality of data as “very low,” meaning the real numbers could be higher. Without a reliable record of causes of death, the health system often reacts late, instead of working to prevent problems earlier.

The Way Forward

Public health specialists are clear on what needs to change. Regular screening for blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer must become part of routine care. Awareness drives on diet, exercise, and quitting tobacco need to be backed by consistent policy action rather than one-off campaigns. Alcohol use and poor nutrition in younger populations are also that need urgent attention, they say.

There is a financial angle here, too. Chronic diseases rarely go away — they demand medicines, doctor visits, and, at times, hospitalisation over decades. Families often end up paying these costs directly, since insurance coverage is limited or inadequate. Rising claims from lifestyle illnesses may also push insurers to redesign their products and pricing.

The message from the study is clear. Unless India acts quickly on prevention and better health systems, the cost will not only be measured in lives lost, but also in mounting medical bills and a dent in economic productivity.