A recent nationwide survey by the National Statistics Office reveals a sharp rise in lifestyle-related diseases across India. Nearly half of the population now reports cardiovascular and metabolic conditions—such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and thyroid disorders—compared to just 31% a decade ago. This trend highlights a growing public health concern driven largely by changing lifestyles.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders on the Rise
In 2025, 25.6% of surveyed individuals reported cardiovascular ailments, a significant increase from 16.7% recorded during 2017–18. Similarly, 24.2% reported metabolic and endocrine disorders in the 15 days preceding the survey, up from 15% in the previous round. Notably, these conditions are more prevalent among individuals aged over 45, reinforcing their strong association with lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity, and stress.
Decline in Infectious Diseases—But Not Among Children
In contrast, infectious diseases have declined considerably. In 2025, only 15% of respondents reported infections such as fever, jaundice, or diarrhoea, compared to 32% in 2017–18. However, infections remain a major concern among children under 14, accounting for more than half of reported ailments in this age group. Thus, while overall progress is evident, age-specific vulnerabilities persist.
Overall Illness Rates Nearly Double
At the same time, the overall burden of illness has increased. In 2025, 13.1% of Indians reported being ill in the preceding 15 days—almost double the 7.5% recorded in 2017–18. Furthermore, women reported higher illness rates (14.4%) than men (11.8%), continuing a pattern observed in earlier surveys.
Age-Linked Surge in Morbidity
As reported by TOI, illness prevalence rises sharply with age. Among individuals aged 60 years and above, 43.9% reported illness in the past 15 days, compared to 27.7% in 2017–18. Similarly, in the 45–59 age group, illness rates increased to 22.5%, up from 11.4%. These findings underscore the cumulative impact of aging and chronic disease risk factors.
Hospitalisation Trends and Financial Burden
Although hospitalisation rates remain relatively stable at 2.9 cases per 100 persons annually, urban areas (3.2%) report slightly higher rates than rural regions (2.7%). However, the financial burden of care has escalated significantly. The average out-of-pocket expenditure per hospitalisation has risen to ₹34,064, compared to ₹20,135 in 2017–18—a nearly 70% increase.
Expanding Insurance Coverage Offers Some Relief
Encouragingly, government-sponsored health insurance coverage has expanded substantially over the past decade. In 2025, such schemes cover 47% of the rural population and 44% of the urban population, a sharp rise from 14% and 19%, respectively, in 2017–18. While this expansion provides some financial protection, rising healthcare costs continue to strain households.
A Shifting Health Landscape
Overall, the findings signal a clear epidemiological transition in India—from infectious diseases to chronic, lifestyle-driven conditions. Consequently, policymakers and healthcare systems must prioritise preventive strategies, early diagnosis, and long-term management to address this evolving health burden.