Health Problems in India

At the face of it, India is a booming economy and one of the fastest growing in the world. Yet, over one third of income is spent towards food and related consumption and hence, social security support for health, Education, housing etc. becomes critical. However, over half a century post-independence, there is little change which has occurred in context to changing the social security situation in the country. Though the government has taken a number of steps towards improving the living standards and the health situation of citizens in India, the impact has not been as profound as anticipated. India houses the maximum number of undernourished people globally and is also the diabetic capital of the world. Anaemia accounts for the second most common cause of maternal deaths in India, 20% maternal deaths.

Communicable diseases

Malaria: The incidence of malaria cases fluctuated between 1.3 and 1.6 million per year for the past five years (2007- 2011). In the year 2011, there were 1.31 million reported cases of malaria in the country. About 95% Population in the country resides in malaria endemic areas and 80% of malaria reported in the country is confined to areas consisting 20% of population residing in tribal, hilly, difficult and inaccessible areas.

Tuberculosis: Some 1.2 million new cases annually and 0.64 million cases new smear positive of which 0.32 million cases die. Though notification rate per 1,00,000 population at national level is much less as compared to RNTCP patient notification, there has been considerable increase in private sector notification in 2013 as compared to 2012. As per WHO estimations, tuberculosis prevalence in 2012 is 230 per 100,000 populations. In absolute numbers, prevalence is 28 lakhs annually and incidence per 100,000 populations is 176 in 2012. Morality due to TB is 2.7 lakhs annually.

Acute Respiratory Infection: In India, over 4 lakh deaths annually are due to pneumonia, accounting for 13-16% of all deaths in the pediatric hospital admissions. There are some 369,000 deaths due to pneumonia among children 1- 59 months.

Leprosy: India ranks first in new cases of leprosy. According to WHO, India accounted for 134,752 new cases in 2012 of a total worldwide of 232,857. India had more than 12 million people living with leprosy between 1991 and 2007. India is also one of the 16 countries ranked “worst” in 2012 with more than 1,000 new cases of leprosy. The other countries in the leprosy morbidity list are Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Congo, Nepal, Myanmar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Philippines, South Sudan, Madagascar, China, and Ivory Coast. Some 95% of all new leprosy cases are concentrated in these 16 countries, while the rest of the world accounts for only 5%.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Cancer: India reports about one million new cases every year. Of the eight million cancer-related deaths in 2012, nearly 700,000 were in India, accounting to about 8% of the world’s cancer patients. Again, in India, 71% deaths between 30-69 years are cancer related. As against global Average of 0.5%, 15% cancers in India are in minors. The estimated incidence of cases of cancer in the country rose from 1,086,783 in 2013 to 1,117,269 in 2014. The estimated cancer mortality cases in the country have also risen from 478,185 in 2013 to 491,597 in 2014. Cancer is the second most common disease in India responsible for maximum mortality with about 0.3 million deaths per year. An estimated 600,000-700,000 deaths in India were caused by cancer in 2012. In age-standardized terms this figure is close to the mortality burden seen in high-income countries. Oral cancer ranks among the top three of all cancers in India: four in ten of all cancers in India are oral cancers. Annually, 130,000 individuals succumbs to oral cancer, approximately 14 deaths per hour.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Prevalence of heart failure in India due to coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and rheumatic heart disease ranges from anywhere between 1.3 to 4.6 million, with an annual incidence of 491,600 to 1.8 million. 2.4 million Indians die due to heart disease every year. Prevalence of Coronary Heart Diseases (CHDs) is between 7-13% in urban areas and 2-7% in rural areas. A conservative estimate indicates that there could be 30 million CHD patients in India of whom 14 million are in urban areas and 16 million in rural areas.

Environmental sanitation problems

Some 400 million people defecate in open and 44% mothers dispose their children’s faeces in open. India accounts for 60% of global and 50% of its own population open defecation. About 48% children in India suffer from some degree of Malnutrition. There is an increased female school dropout rate in the adolescent age due to lack of toilet facilities. Only 25% have drinking water on their premise. Sixty seven per cent Indian households do not treat drinking water though it may be chemically and bacterially contaminated.

Medical Care Problems

India has a health policy, not a health service. The need-based Services have primarily catered to the urban population, which houses 32% of the national population. The doctor population ratio stands at 1:1,700, less than the WHO prescribed 1:1,000. Reluctance by doctors to serve rural areas emerges from the feeling of professional isolation and disparity in living conditions. There are almost four times the medical practitioners in urban than in rural areas per 10000 population.

Population Problem

India accounts for 17% global population and has 2.5% of the earth’s land area. Overpopulation has its share of ill-effects including rising Unemployment, inappropriate utilization of available manpower, inadequate Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, resource scarcity, drop in production & rising costs and inequitable income distribution resulting in widening.

Nutritional Problems in India

Under malnutrition makes the child susceptible to infection and results in child mortality. This accounts for 22% of the burden of disease in India and adversely affects the economic Growth with an estimated adult productivity loss of 1.4% of the GDP.

Calcium deficiency and calcium deficiency-induced osteoporosis among the elderly are one of the most common causes of bone diseases and deformities in India.

The prevalence of stunting among under-five children is 48%, wasting 19% and underweight, 42.5%. These numbers are high in magnitude.,

India is a country with a population of over 1.3 billion people. As such, it is not surprising that it faces a number of health problems. Some of the most pressing health problems in India include Air Pollution, alcoholism, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mental health problems, non-communicable diseases, Nutrition-related problems, obesity, respiratory diseases, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, vector-borne diseases, violence, and waterborne diseases.

Air pollution is a major health problem in India. The country’s air quality is among the worst in the world, and it is estimated that air pollution causes over 1.2 million deaths in India each year. Air pollution can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.

Alcoholism is another major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 100 million people in India suffer from alcoholism. Alcoholism can cause a number of health problems, including liver disease, heart disease, and cancer.

Cancer is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 1.2 million people in India are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in India, after heart disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people in India die from cardiovascular diseases each year. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India.

Diabetes is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 70 million people in India have diabetes. Diabetes can cause a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.

HIV/AIDS is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 2.1 million people in India are living with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can cause a number of health problems, including AIDS-related complex and AIDS.

Mental health problems are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 45 million people in India suffer from mental health problems. Mental health problems can cause a number of health problems, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Non-communicable diseases are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 60% of deaths in India are caused by non-communicable diseases. Non-communicable diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Nutrition-related problems are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 100 million people in India are malnourished. Malnutrition can cause a number of health problems, including stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies.

Obesity is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 100 million people in India are obese. Obesity can cause a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Respiratory diseases are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 200 million people in India suffer from respiratory diseases. Respiratory diseases include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 20 million people in India are living with an STI. STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 2.8 million people in India are living with TB. TB is a bacterial infection that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body.

Vector-borne diseases are a major health problem in India. Vector-borne diseases are diseases that are transmitted to humans by insects or other animals. Vector-borne diseases in India include malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya.

Violence is a major health problem in India. It is estimated that over 100,000 people in India are killed each year due to violence. Violence can cause a number of health problems, including physical injuries, mental health problems, and death.

Waterborne diseases are a major health problem in India. Waterborne diseases are diseases that are caused by drinking contaminated water. Waterborne diseases in India include cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.

The health problems in India are a complex and challenging issue. There are a number of factors that contribute to these health problems, including POVERTY, lack of access to healthcare, and poor sanitation. The government of India is working to address these health problems, but there is still much work to be done.

What are the most common health problems in India?

The most common health problems in India are:

Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease, stroke, and other conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels)
Cancer
Diabetes
Respiratory diseases (such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Infections (such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and diarrheal diseases)
Nutritional deficiencies (such as iron deficiency anemia and vitamin A deficiency)

What are the causes of these health problems?

The causes of these health problems are complex and interrelated. Some of the factors that contribute to these health problems include:

Poor diet
Sedentary lifestyle
Tobacco use
Alcohol use
Unhealthy sexual practices
Unsafe water and sanitation
Air pollution
Inadequate access to healthcare

What are the effects of these health problems?

The effects of these health problems can be devastating, both for individuals and for Society as a whole. Some of the effects of these health problems include:

Early death
Disability
Loss of productivity
Financial hardship
Social isolation
Psychological distress

What can be done to prevent these health problems?

There are many things that can be done to prevent these health problems, including:

Promoting healthy eating habits
Encouraging physical activity
Quitting tobacco use
Reducing alcohol use
Practicing safe sex
Improving access to clean water and sanitation
Reducing air pollution
Expanding access to healthcare

What can be done to treat these health problems?

There are many effective treatments for these health problems, including:

Medications
Surgery
Lifestyle changes
Palliative care

What are the challenges in addressing these health problems?

There are many challenges in addressing these health problems, including:

The high burden of disease
The limited Resources available to address the problem
The lack of awareness about the problem
The stigma associated with the problem
The lack of access to healthcare

What is the future outlook for these health problems?

The future outlook for these health problems is mixed. On the one hand, there is reason to be optimistic, as there have been significant advances in the prevention and treatment of these problems in recent years. On the other hand, there are also reasons for concern, as the burden of these problems is likely to increase in the coming years due to Population Growth, aging, and Urbanization.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of health, nutrition, and fitness:

Which of the following is not a major cause of death in India?
(A) Heart disease
(B) Cancer
(C) Diabetes
(D) Malnutrition
Which of the following is the most common type of cancer in India?
(A) Breast cancer
(B) Lung cancer
(C) Cervical cancer
(D) Prostate cancer
Which of the following is the leading cause of death among children under the age of five in India?
(A) Pneumonia
(B) Diarrhea
(C) Malaria
(D) HIV/AIDS
Which of the following is the most common type of malnutrition in India?
(A) Undernutrition
(B) Overnutrition
(C) Micronutrient deficiency
(D) Protein-energy malnutrition
Which of the following is the best way to prevent heart disease?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent cancer?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Avoid smoking and tobacco use
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent diabetes?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent malaria?
(A) Use mosquito nets
(B) Take preventive medication
(C) Avoid areas with high malaria transmission
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS?
(A) Abstain from sexual activity
(B) Practice safe sex
(C) Get tested for HIV regularly
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent undernutrition?
(A) Give children a healthy diet
(B) Make sure children get enough to eat
(C) Promote breastfeeding
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent overnutrition?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent micronutrient deficiency?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Take supplements
(C) Get enough sunlight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent protein-energy malnutrition?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Give children a healthy diet
(C) Promote breastfeeding
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to improve your health?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to improve your nutrition?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Take supplements
(C) Get enough sunlight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to improve your fitness?
(A) Exercise regularly
(B) Eat a healthy diet
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to prevent chronic diseases?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to live a long and healthy life?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to reduce your risk of death?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the best way to improve your Quality Of Life?
(A) Eat a healthy diet
(B) Exercise regularly
(C) Maintain a healthy weight
(D) All of the above