Non-Communicable Diseases Among Youth in India: A Critical Public Health Challenge

Authors

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Indian youth pose a significant public health challenge due to their rising prevalence and substantial impacts on health and economic stability. This shift from infectious diseases to chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers is the primary driver of morbidity and mortality among young Indians. Critical modifiable risk factors, including unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and substance abuse, coupled with non-modifiable factors like genetics and socio-economic conditions, significantly contribute to NCD prevalence. Emphasizing the need for early intervention, health promotion, and comprehensive healthcare strategies is essential for effective management and prevention of NCDs. The article highlights initiatives like school-based programs and community outreach, designed to promote healthier lifestyle choices among youth. Addressing NCDs thoroughly necessitates robust policy frameworks, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and targeted interventions. These measures are crucial to alleviate the burden of these diseases on India's future workforce and enhance economic prospects.

How to Cite

Joshi, K., Panchani, R. V., Bera, O. P. ., & Modi, A. (2024). Non-Communicable Diseases Among Youth in India: A Critical Public Health Challenge. Journal of the Epidemiology Foundation of India, 2(2), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.56450/JEFI.2024.v2i02.005

Author Biographies

Krupal Joshi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat

.

Rhythm V Panchani, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat

.

Om Prakash Bera, Regional Advisor, Asia, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, USA

.

Anjali Modi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat

.

References

Champion KE, Parmenter B, McGowan C, et al. Effectiveness of school-based eHealth interventions to prevent multiple lifestyle risk behaviours among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Dig Health. 2019;1(5):e206–e221.

Bennett JE, Stevens GA, Mathers CD, et al. NCD countdown 2030: worldwide trends in non-communicable disease mortality and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4. Lancet North Am Ed. 2018;392(10152):1072–1088.

Long KQ, Ngoc-Anh HT, Phuong NH, et al. Clustering lifestyle risk behaviors among Vietnamese adolescents and roles of school: a Bayesian multilevel analysis of Global School-Based Student Health Survey 2019. Lancet Reg Health-West Pac. 2021;15

Afshin A, Sur PJ, Fay KA, et al. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet North Am Ed. 2019;393(10184):1958–1972.

Patton GC, Coffey C, Cappa C, et al. Health of the world's adolescents: a synthesis of internationally comparable data. Lancet North Am Ed. 2012;379(9826):1665–1675.

Aktaş N. School-based nutrition promotion: nutrition friendly school program in Turkey. Recent Dev Educ. 2017;479

Patton GC, Sawyer SM, Santelli JS, et al. Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet North Am Ed. 2016;387(10036):2423–2478.

Nethan, S., Sinha, D., & Mehrotra, R. (2017). Non Communicable Disease Risk Factors and their Trends in India. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention:APJCP, 18(7),2005–2010.

Global Burden of Disease 2019 India Collaborators. (2020). Five insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1135-1159.

World Health Organization. (2018). Noncommunicable diseases. Retrieved from

Indian Council of Medical Research. (2020). National Non-communicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS) 2017-18. New Delhi: Indian Council of Medical Research.

Patel, V., et al. (2011). Chronic diseases and injuries in India. The Lancet, 377(9763), 413-428. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61188-9

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2020). Annual Report on National Health Mission. Government of India.

Joshi, R., et al. (2016). Task shifting for non-communicable disease management in low and middle income countries – a systematic review. PLoS ONE, 11(8), e0161134.

Misra, A., & Khurana, L. (2008). Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in developing countries. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 93(11 Suppl 1), S9-30. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-1595

Anjana, R. M., et al. (2017). Physical activity and inactivity patterns in India – results from the ICMR-INDIAB study (Phase-1) (ICMR-INDIAB-5). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 127.

Prabhat J, Binu J, Vendhan G, C. GP, Neeraj D, Rajesh K, et al. A Nationally Representative Case–Control Study of Smoking and Death in India. N Engl J Med (Internet) 2024;358(11):1137–47

Rehm, J., et al. (2017). The relationship between different dimensions of alcohol use and the burden of disease—an update. Addiction, 112(6), 968-1001.

Bhojani U, Beerenahalli TS, Devadasan R, et al. (2017). No longer diseases of the wealthy: prevalence and health-seeking for self-reported chronic conditions among urban poor in southern India. BMC Health Serv Res. 17(1):339.

Government of India. (2017). National Health Policy 2017. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. (2017). National Sports Policy. Government of India.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2013). National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke. Government of India.

Government of India. (2019). Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2018). National Tobacco Control Programme. Government of India.

Prabhakaran, D., et al. (2016). Cardiovascular diseases in India: Current epidemiology and future directions. Circulation, 133(16), 1605-1620. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.008729

Narain, J. P. (2016). Public Health Challenges in India: Seizing the Opportunities. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 41(2), 85-88. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.173495

Reddy, K. S., et al. (2016). Responding to the threat of chronic diseases in India. The Lancet, 366(9498), 1744-1749. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67343-6

Thakur, J. S., et al. (2011). Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases in India: Challenges and strategies. National Medical Journal of India, 24(5), 280-287.

Agarwal, A., et al. (2018). Implications of Public Health in Controlling Non-communicable Disease in India. South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 12-17.

Government of India. (2013). National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS): Operational Guidelines. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare