India is undergoing a major epidemiological transition. While the country has made steady progress in controlling infectious diseases, a new threat is rapidly emerging: lifestyle diseases. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension are rising sharply, reshaping the nation’s public health landscape.

According to the latest pan-India survey by the National Statistics Office, 2025, 25.6 per cent of people reported cardiovascular ailments, compared to 16.7 per cent during July 2017 to June 2018. While there has been a decline in infectious illnesses like tuberculosis and diarrhoeal diseases, there is a steep surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This dual trend reflects changing lifestyles, urbanisation, and evolving health risks across India.

The survey reports non-communicable diseases are particularly higher in people over 45 years of age, which indicates that these are related to lifestyle. In contrast, 15 per cent of people reported experiencing infections, including ailments like fever, jaundice, and diarrhoea in 2025, down from 32 per cent in 2017-18. Infections, however, still accounted for more than half of all ailments among children up to age 14.

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For decades, infectious diseases were the leading cause of illness and death in India. Various initiatives by the government, such as improved sanitation, vaccination drives, and better access to healthcare, have helped reduce the burden of infections.

However, these gains have been accompanied by a rise in lifestyle-related conditions. According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases now account for over 60 per cent of deaths in India, making them the leading cause of mortality.

Several factors are contributing to the increase in lifestyle diseases:

Urban living and desk-bound jobs have reduced physical activity, increasing the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders.

High consumption of processed foods, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats is fuelling conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Chronic stress, poor sleep, and fast-paced lifestyles are impacting overall health and increasing cardiovascular risk.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now