Chronic diseases to cost India $237 billion in the next decade

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'Chronic diseases to cost India $237b in the next decade'

26 Nov 2007, 0118 hrs IST , Kounteya Sinha , TNN

NEW DELHI: India will lose $237 billion in national income due to

chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) over the next 10 years.

The expected loss in national income during the same period is

projected at $558 billion for China and $303 billion for Russia.

Globally, over 36 million people will die of this invisible epidemic

by 2015. And some 80% these deaths will occur in low and middle

income countries and account for 44% of premature deaths worldwide.

This is double the number of deaths that result from a combination of

infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, maternal and

perinatal conditions and nutritional deficiencies.

These are the findings of a paper published in the science journal

Nature on Friday. Professor Beaglehole of Auckland University,

who is also director of WHO's Department of Chronic Diseases and

Health Promotion, co-authored the paper with 18 other researchers

across the world.

N K Ganguly, former director-general of ICMR, was the only Indian in

the panel. The researchers presented a series of recommendations that

would avert at least 36 million premature deaths by 2015.

According to scientists, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and obesity

were the top culprits behind the epidemic causing cardiovascular

conditions (mainly heart disease and stroke), cancers, chronic

respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Some of the recommendations include raising the political priority of

CNCDs and promoting healthy lifestyles; strengthening regulations to

discourage consumption of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods;

developing codes to monitor responsible conduct in the food, beverage

and restaurant industries; studies to explore the links between

CNCDs, poverty and urbanization; redistributing health care resources

based on burden of diseases; and putting a big emphasis on

prevention.

The researchers said that chronic non-communicable conditions caused

the greatest global share of death and disability, accounting for

around 60% of all deaths worldwide.

" It is thus imperative that the country recognises the threat of

CNCDs. CNCDs must urgently receive more resources, research and

attention. Inaction is costing millions of premature deaths

throughout the world, " the paper said.

Ganguly said: " The economic impact is enormous. It is the developing

countries, struggling to create a healthcare system, who are now

being hit by the double burden of disease, both infectious diseases

and these chronic diseases.

Most of our efforts are going into preventative measures. " He

added: " Fortunately, CNCDs are largely preventable. Up to 80% of

premature deaths from heart disease, stroke and diabetes can be

averted with known behavioural and pharmaceutical interventions. "

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Chronic_diseases_to_cost_Indi

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