Pollution Takes A Toll On Children: Nearly Half Of Health Insurance Claims Filed By Those Under 10

A rising number of children in India are falling ill due to worsening air pollution, and the data now tells its own story. Children below the age of ten account for almost 43 per cent of all health insurance claims related to pollution-triggered ailments, according to a recent report by Policybazaar, as mentioned by a recent Times of India report. The numbers point to a deepening health emergency, where toxic air is hurting the most vulnerable section of society, those who have barely started life.

Children Paying The Heaviest Price

Pollution-related illnesses make up nearly eight per cent of hospitalisation claims across India, with the youngest age group topping the list. Adults between 31 and 40 years contribute around 14 per cent, while senior citizens above 60 years make up just about seven per cent. Doctors say children breathe faster and take in more air per kilogram of body weight, which makes them far more prone to the harmful effects of particulate matter, fumes, and smog.

In recent years, hospitals have reported a steady rise in paediatric respiratory cases. Chronic coughs, wheezing, bronchitis, and allergic asthma have become routine, especially during winter. Many families find themselves visiting doctors more often, and a growing number of children now need inhalers or regular medication.

The financial burden has grown, too. The average cost of hospitalisation linked to air pollution is about Rs 55,000, with daily treatment expenses close to Rs 19,000. Medical specialists say these costs are climbing faster than inflation, particularly in large cities where private healthcare dominates.

Delhi And Bengaluru Top The List

The national capital continues to be the worst affected, followed by Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Delhi’s air turns especially toxic in winter due to vehicle exhaust, construction dust, and stubble burning in nearby states. But the crisis has clearly moved beyond Delhi. Cities once considered relatively clean are now reporting the same pattern. Insurance firms are recording a sharp jump in pollution-linked health claims from Jaipur, Lucknow, and Indore, a sign that smaller urban centres are fast losing whatever air advantage they once had.

Every winter brings the same story. The weeks after Diwali see a sudden flood of cases, as smoke from firecrackers, stubble burning, and trapped winter air combine into a thick, choking haze. Hospitals brace for it now; they know the spike is coming.

Firecrackers, smoke from burning crop residue, and cold air that traps pollutants cause a sudden jump in hospital visits. During this period, insurers report nearly a 14 per cent rise in health claims linked to respiratory distress.

An Urgent Warning

Experts describe this as a wake-up call. Air pollution is no longer an environmental topic tucked into the back pages; it has become a front-line health crisis. Children are the ones suffering most, and doctors say it’s time the response went beyond temporary measures. They want real changes on the ground, cleaner fuels, tougher emission rules, and more breathing spaces in crowded cities.

The message for India couldn’t be clearer. The cost of doing nothing will be paid in children’s lungs and shortened futures.

A generation is growing up breathing air thick with dust and smoke, and unless something changes fast, the damage may last a lifetime.