Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report | India’s Disease Burden Shifting Towards Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Key Findings of the Global Burden of Disease Report, India’s Health Transition, and Global Efforts to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases

1. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report  was released by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the World Health Summit in Berlin.

2. It provides a comprehensive analysis of global, regional, and national health trends.

3. The report quantifies health loss from diseases, injuries, and risk factors using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

4. DALYs represent the total burden of disease — combining Years of Life Lost (YLLs) due to premature death and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) due to illness or injury.

What Does the Report Reveal About the Global Disease Trend?

1. The world’s disease burden has significantly shifted from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

2. In 2023, NCDs accounted for 1.80 billion global DALYs, up from 1.45 billion in 2010.

3. NCDs now constitute nearly two-thirds of total global DALYs.

4. The decline in infectious diseases is attributed to better healthcare access, immunization, and sanitation improvements.

What Are the Leading and Fastest-Growing Non-Communicable Diseases?

1. Leading global NCD causes include ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

2. Fastest-growing NCDs (since 2010) are anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and diabetes.

3. The top three global risk factors for early death and disability are high blood pressure, air pollution (PM2.5), and smoking.

How Has India’s Disease Burden Shifted Over Time?

1. India’s health transition shows a clear shift from infectious diseases to NCDs.

2. In 1990, diarrhoeal diseases were India’s leading cause of death with an ASMR (Age-Standardized Mortality Rate) of 300.53 per lakh population.

3. By 2023, ischaemic heart disease became the top cause with an ASMR of 127.82 per lakh.

4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ranked second with 99.25 per lakh, and stroke ranked third with 92.88 per lakh.

5. COVID-19, which killed 18 million people globally, dropped from the top cause of death in 2021 to the 20th in 2023.

What Does the Report Indicate About India’s Life Expectancy?

1. India’s life expectancy has improved markedly between 1990 and 2023.

2. The all-cause ASMR declined from 1,513.05 per lakh (1990) to 871.09 per lakh (2023).

3. Life expectancy at birth increased from 58.46 years (1990) to 71.56 years (2023).

4. For men, it rose from 58.12 to 70.24 years.

5. For women, it increased from 58.91 to 72.96 years.

Why Are Non-Communicable Diseases Rising in India?

1. Epidemiological and Demographic Transition

   • India is experiencing a shift from infectious to lifestyle-related chronic diseases due to urbanization and aging population.

2. Unhealthy Lifestyle Patterns

   • Dietary Shifts: From traditional, fiber-rich diets to processed foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.

   • Physical Inactivity: Sedentary work, mechanized transport, and mobile-based conveniences.

   • Substance Use: Increased tobacco and alcohol consumption among youth and low-income groups.

3. Environmental Risk Factors

   • Air Pollution (PM2.5) from industries, vehicles, and biomass burning increases respiratory and heart diseases.

4. Biological and Hereditary Factors

   • Rising obesity, hypertension, and genetic predisposition heighten risk.

5. Psychosocial and Mental Health Factors

   • Stress, social isolation, and digital FOMO culture worsen coping mechanisms and increase NCD vulnerability.

6. Socioeconomic Factors

   • Urban migration, income inequality, and cultural normalization of unhealthy behaviors (like tobacco use in rural India) amplify NCD risks.

What Is the Impact of NCDs on India?

1. NCDs account for 63–65% of all deaths in India (2023).

2. Major contributors: Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.

3. Premature Mortality: NCDs cause most deaths between ages 30–70.

4. Economic Impact: India could lose USD 4.58 trillion by 2030 due to NCDs and mental health issues (World Economic Forum).

5. Health System Strain: Increased demand for diagnostics, medicines, and chronic care facilities.

6. Developmental Consequences: NCDs slow progress toward SDGs, worsen poverty, and reduce labor productivity.

What Has the Government of India Done to Tackle NCDs?

1. National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD): Strengthens infrastructure, diagnosis, and awareness.

2. Community Screening: Regular checks for diabetes, hypertension, and cancers at primary levels.

3. Infrastructure Development: Establishment of NCD clinics, cardiac units, and CHC-level centers.

4. Lifestyle Initiatives: Campaigns like Eat Right India, Fit India Movement, and Yoga promotion.

5. Fiscal Measures: 40% GST “sin tax” on high-sugar products.

6. National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP): Awareness and reduction of tobacco use.

7. NPCDCS (2010): Focused approach to combat cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.

What Is the Global Context on NCDs According to WHO?

1. NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) are long-term illnesses resulting from genetic, physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors.

2. Main types: Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

3. NCDs caused 43 million deaths globally in 2021, equaling 75% of non-pandemic-related deaths.

4. About 18 million people died prematurely (<70 years), 82% from low- and middle-income countries.

What Global Actions Have Been Taken Against NCDs?

1. The 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (HLM4) adopted the declaration “Equity and Integration: Transforming Lives and Livelihoods”.

2. Targets for 2030 include:

   • 150 million fewer tobacco users.

   • 150 million more people with controlled hypertension.

   • 150 million more with access to mental health care.

3. The NCD Alliance Report highlights dangerous underspending — recommending 1.1–1.7% of GNI on NCDs through primary healthcare.

How Are NCDs Linked to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda?

1. SDG Target 3.4 aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

2. The WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs (2013–2020) was extended to 2030 with a new Implementation Roadmap (2023–2030).

3. These initiatives reinforce prevention, financing, and equitable access to healthcare globally.

What Is the Way Forward for India?

1. Health Promotion: Focus on healthy diets, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol control.

2. Early Detection: Mandatory screening for adults aged 30+ for common NCDs.

3. Healthcare Strengthening: Expand district NCD clinics and critical care services.

4. Digital Health Tools: Use telemedicine, data systems, and National Digital Health Mission for monitoring.

5. Fiscal Interventions: Increase taxes on tobacco, salt, and sugar to reduce risk behaviors.

6. Sustainable Financing: Ensure steady funding and medicine availability aligned with SDG 3.4 goals.

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report underscores a historic shift in India’s and the world’s health profile — from infectious to non-communicable diseases. The growing NCD challenge demands integrated policies combining healthcare access, behavioral change, environmental action, and fiscal policy. As India moves forward, success will depend on prevention, equity, and technology-driven healthcare reform to build a healthier, more resilient nation.