Debating the ‘healthy longevity initiative’

The World Bank’s Report on Healthy Longevity published in September 2024 highlights the critical challenge posed by the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), especially India. The report stresses the urgency of tackling aging populations and NCD-related deaths while providing strategies for healthy longevity. India, with its rapidly aging population, faces significant challenges in curbing NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, which are leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

Demographic and Health Trends in India

• Aging Population: India’s elderly population (60+) stands at 140 million, making it the world’s second-largest. The elderly population is growing at a rate three times higher than the overall population growth rate.
• Prevalence of NCDs: NCDs now account for over 50% of all deaths in India, with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases being the leading causes. By 2030, NCDs are projected to account for three-quarters of all deaths in the country.
• Health Risks and Behavioral Factors: Key risk factors for NCDs include tobacco use, alcohol abuse, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. Additionally, poor dietary habits with increasing intake of processed foods contribute significantly to the rising incidence of chronic diseases.

Socioeconomic Impact of NCDs

• Financial Burden on Families: The treatment of chronic diseases imposes a severe financial burden on families, with out-of-pocket expenses for hospital visits and medicines pushing many into indebtedness.
• Inadequate Social Security: India’s social security schemes, like the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, offer limited financial relief due to meagre pension amounts, rigorous eligibility requirements, and administrative inefficiencies.
• Lack of Healthcare Access: Rural areas face significant challenges in accessing primary healthcare, with infrequent screenings and limited healthcare infrastructure exacerbating the burden of NCDs, particularly in remote regions.

Policy and Health System Challenges

• Healthcare Infrastructure: The quality of private healthcare is often compromised by inflated prices and unregulated hospital fees. The Supreme Court’s 2024 directive to regulate healthcare pricing highlights ongoing concerns over affordability.
• Inefficiencies in Health Insurance: Health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat are not fully effective due to bureaucratic delays, corruption, and lack of awareness about eligibility, limiting their reach among the poorest.
• Need for Behavioral Change: Addressing NCDs requires behavioral reforms, such as promoting physical activity and reducing consumption of unhealthy foods. A taxation policy on unhealthy products, such as tobacco and sugary foods, is suggested to curb the rising burden of NCDs.

Practice Question:

Q. India’s rapidly aging population and rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose significant challenges to public health and economic growth. Discuss the socio-economic impact of NCDs in India, highlighting the role of social security schemes, healthcare access, and necessary policy reforms.