NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES - SCI & TECH
News: Are non-communicable diseases increasing in India?
What is in the news?
●
Recently, the new
national estimates for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) shows
that 31 million more Indians became diabetic in four years (2019-2021).
Important findings from the study:
●
In 2021, a study found
that India has 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million people with
prediabetes.
●
Additionally, 315 million
people had high blood pressure; 254 million had generalized obesity, and 351
million had abdominal obesity.
Ubiquitousness of the NCDs:
●
First, diabetes and other metabolic
non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia
are much more common than estimated
previously in India.
●
Second, while currently urban regions had higher rates of
all metabolic NCDs than rural areas, with the exception of prediabetes,
rural India will see a diabetes explosion in the next five years if left
unregulated.
States with NCDs:
●
The highest diabetes
prevalence was found in Goa, Puducherry and Kerala. While prediabetes was
prevalent in Sikkim, hypertension was highest in Punjab. Generalized obesity
and abdominal obesity were highest in Puducherry.
Difference between communicable and non-communicable
diseases:
|
Communicable diseases |
Non communicable diseases |
|
● Communicable
diseases, which are also known as infectious diseases, are caused by
microorganisms that can be transmitted from one individual to another through
direct or indirect contact.
● These
diseases can be transmitted through various means, such as respiratory
droplets, contaminated food or water, insect bites, sexual contact, and blood
transfusions.
● Cannot
be passed down from one generation to another
● Develop
immediately and is acute
● EG.
Malaria, TB and HIV |
● Non-communicable
diseases, also known as chronic diseases or non-infectious diseases, are not
caused by infectious agents but are instead the result of various
non-infectious factors such as lifestyle choices, heredity, and environmental
factors.
● Can be
inherited through generations
● Develops
over a period of time and lasts longer, it is fatal
● EG.
Cancer, diabetes. |