
Heart Disease, Diabetes, and COPD: Why Indians Are Living Longer But Not Healthier
What Happened?
India's life expectancy has risen to 71 years, but chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are increasingly prevalent, raising concerns about overall health.
Key points
- India's life expectancy increased from 62.8 years in 2000 to 71 years in 2023.
- Healthy life expectancy in India was 60.6 years in 2023, indicating a gap between lifespan and health.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now a major health burden, with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes on the rise.
- Younger Indians in their 20s and 30s are increasingly diagnosed with conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
- Preventive healthcare measures are essential to address rising health risks.
Key insights
- The increase in life expectancy does not equate to better health outcomes.
- Chronic diseases are affecting younger populations, indicating a shift in health trends.
- Preventive measures could significantly reduce the burden of NCDs in India.
Why it matters
The rise in chronic illnesses among Indians highlights the need for improved healthcare strategies.
Source
Times Now

