The rate of incidence of NCDs has more than doubled among children between 5 - 17 years of age over the past decade, an age group where there should ‘technically and historically’ not be a growing impact of lifestyle diseases,” data shared by Apollo Hospitals has found.
Dr Sathya Sriram, CEO – Preventive Health, Apollo, said “India is already grappling with a huge NCD burden, estimated at $4.8 trillion in lost economic output by 2030. India’s young population is its biggest advantage, but only when they are healthy. By not addressing NCDs at an early age, we are potentially looking at a generation that will not be at their productive best, subsequently increasing the healthcare burden on the nation. Early detection and intervention in diseases like diabetes and hypertension are critical. Timely measures, including lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity and improved nutrition, can mitigate long-term health impacts. Moreover, early identification of learning challenges and high-risk behaviors in children is essential, enabling appropriate support and intervention. Such proactive approaches can substantially reduce the incidence of NCDs in adults, thereby lessening the overall health and economic impact on India.”
