Cancer, heart disease deaths dip globally, but mortality rate in India surged: Lancet report
The Lancet paper, Benchmarking progress in non-communicable diseases: a global analysis of cause-specific mortality from 2001 to 2019, noted that while almost 80% of countries recorded declines in NCD-related deaths during the past decade, the rate of progress has slowed in many parts of the world.
New Delhi: In a health-centric world, one would expect that the incidence of chronic and acute diseases would drop gradually. However, on the contrary, this does not seem to be relevant for India, despite its long battle against non-communicable diseases. On the one hand, countries globally are reporting a declining trend in deaths caused by heart diseases, cancer, and stroke. And on the other hand, India is witnessing just the opposite. As per the study, the mortality rate due to NCDs between 80 years of age and birth rose from 2010 to 2019.
The study noted that the increase was most evident in women. And in the case of Indian men, the risk of dying because of NCDs rose marginally, by 0.1%. But in the case of women, the risk increased significantly, largely driven by high mortality after 40. In men, death risk was more evident after 55.
Why the Numbers Are Rising
The researchers attributed this trend to a surge in deaths caused by ischaemic heart disease and diabetes, including complications such as chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, deaths from conditions like cirrhosis of the liver declined in both sexes, while men also recorded improvements in diseases such as stomach cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
When compared with earlier decades, the situation appears more complex. For women, 2010-2019 marked an increase in deaths because of NCDs like COPD and cirrhosis. However, in men, there were improvements as the risk of death due to NCDs declined. Authors also noted that the quality of mortality data in India continued to be weak, which added a layer of uncertainty.
A major crisis
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data further highlights the seriousness of the situation. NCD-related deaths in India rose sharply from 37.9% in 1990 to nearly 62% by 2016. Four major conditions—cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes—are now responsible for the majority of this burden. These illnesses are linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption.
The Global Picture
The Lancet paper, Benchmarking progress in non-communicable diseases: a global analysis of cause-specific mortality from 2001 to 2019, noted that while almost 80% of countries recorded declines in NCD-related deaths during the past decade, the rate of progress has slowed in many parts of the world. High-income regions such as Europe, North America, and Australasia witnessed stagnation, with mortality rates not improving as quickly as they did in the early 2000s.
The way forward for India
For India, the findings were serious enough to be a wake-up call for India. The country is currently faced with challenges regarding addressing infectious diseases while combating lifestyle-related health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic, too, demanded an improvement in the area.