Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
New Delhi: India faces a growing health crisis with prediabetes and diabetes affecting a massive chunk of its working population. Apollo Hospitals' latest Health of the Nation 2026 report has spotlighted this alarming trend, showing how modern lifestyles such as long office hours, junk food, and little movement are pushing millions towards serious risks. From bustling cities to smaller towns, the numbers paint a picture of silent suffering that could overwhelm healthcare systems and workplaces alike. Prediabetes symptoms often hide in plain sight, making early awareness key to turning the tide on diabetes prevalence in India. This report comes at a critical time when India's workforce, full of young talent, needs to stay fit and productive. Nearly half of working adults now grapple with chronic diseases, urging a shift towards preventive health checks over reactive care. Simple steps like balanced meals and regular walks can reverse prediabetes, especially for the youth. As diabetes risk factors like obesity and stress rise, understanding these stats helps everyone take charge of their wellness journey. Nearly 50 per cent India's workforce faces prediabetes or diabetes risk Apollo Hospitals' Health of the Nation 2026 report, based on over three million health checks in 2025, reveals a crisis: nearly half about 50 per cent of India's working population, averaging 38 years old, has prediabetes or diabetes. This stems largely from sedentary desk jobs, irregular meals, and skipped workouts that spike blood sugar silently. These prediabetes statistics India highlight urgent call for lifestyle tweaks to curb diabetes prevalence among working adults and boost national productivity. Young adults under 30 at high prediabetes risk Apollo Hospitals analysed over three million health assessments from 2025, uncovering stark realities. Startlingly, one in five Indians under 30 is prediabetic, with 28 per cent able to reverse it swiftly through lifestyle tweaks -- far better than the mere 7 per cent success rate over 50. Over half of young adults have abnormal cholesterol, 70 per cent lack adequate Vitamin D, and two-thirds show weak strength or balance. One in four suffers high blood pressure, while over two-thirds miss the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. This early onset of prediabetes prevalence in India signals future diabetes epidemics unless addressed now. Young professionals must prioritise regular screening, balanced diets rich in nutrients, and daily activity to halt progression and embrace preventive health measures effectively. City-wise breakdown reveals alarming trends Urban India fares poorly, with Chennai topping charts at 25 per cent diabetes, 26 per cent hypertension, 38 per cent anaemia, and 77 per cent obesity rates. Madurai sees 36 per cent diabetes and 83 per cent obesity; Tirchy has 34 per cent diabetes and 80 per cent obese. Surprisingly, tier-2 cities often exceed metros like Mumbai in these risks. Such diabetes statistics highlight how rapid urbanisation worsens prediabetes and obesity. Residents need targeted wellness drives focusing on local diets, pollution effects, and community fitness to combat these trends and lower diabetes prevalence among working populations. Women at higher risk for health challenges Women encounter heightened risks: young ones battle high anaemia, 20s see Vitamin B12 deficiencies, obesity surges 40 per cent post-menopause, and diabetes odds rise 2.5 times. These gender-specific issues compound prediabetes risks amid hormonal shifts and caregiving stresses. The report advocates tailored screenings for women, emphasising iron-rich foods, supplements, and strength training. Addressing these through women-centric diabetes prevention programmes can empower better health management and reduce long-term complications in India's diverse workforce. Everyday habits to prevent prediabetes and diabetes * Walk 30-45 minutes daily: Brisk evening strolls after meals burn calories, improve insulin sensitivity, and combat sedentary office hours; aim for 10,000 steps to meet WHO guidelines and reduce obesity by 20-30% over time. * Eat balanced, low-GI meals: Choose millets, whole grains, veggies, and lean proteins like eggs or lentils over white rice/sugar; portion control with thalis prevents spikes -- track 1600-1800 calories for weight management. * Stay hydrated with water: Drink 3-4 litres daily, adding lemon or jeera for flavour; avoids sugary drinks that fuel prediabetes, supports metabolism, and curbs false hunger pangs during long workdays. * Get morning sunlight for Vitamin D: 15-20 minutes exposure boosts levels (70% Indians deficient), strengthens bones, and aids blood sugar control; pair with yoga for better balance and stress relief. * Sleep 7-8 hours nightly: Fixed bedtime routine regulates hormones like cortisol that trigger insulin resistance; avoid screens pre-bed to enhance quality and cut diabetes risk by 25%. * Manage stress with deep breathing: 5-minute pranayama or meditation twice daily lowers blood pressure (1 in 4 affected) and emotional eating; apps or workplace breaks make it easy. * Weekly strength exercises: Bodyweight squats or light weights 2-3 times build muscle, fight two-thirds' poor strength noted in reports, and stabilise blood sugar long-term. * Limit processed foods: Swap chips/namkeens for nuts/fruits; read labels to dodge hidden sugars, tackling 8-in-10 overweight stats and fatty liver risks prevalent in cities. The Apollo Hospitals report serves as a stark reminder that prediabetes and diabetes are silently gripping India's workforce, but they are not inevitable. By embracing everyday habits like brisk walks, balanced meals, and stress management, individuals can reverse risks early and reclaim their health.
CHITTOOR (Andhra Pradesh): The Apollo University, Apollo Hospitals and University of Leicester, United Kingdom, have partnered to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM) at The Apollo University campus in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The advanced research center will bring together the expertise and resources of both institutions to create a global hub for digital health and precision medicine. The CDHPM will be the hub in Chittoor, India. The hub at the University of Leicester will be based at the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester ...Read More >
Sribhumi (Assam) [India], June 26 (ANI): Continuing her whirlwind tour of the Northeast, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse arrived in Sribhumi on Thursday under the Centre's Poorvottar Sampark Setu outreach initiative--an ambitious programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen administrative ties and accelerate development across the region. During a robust one-day engagement in Sribhumi, Khadse chaired a review meeting with officials from 26 departments. She underlined youth and sports as key drivers of social upliftment and assured enh ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) No COVID-19 case was reported in Mumbai on Friday, the feat achieved for the first time in about two months, the metropolis' civic body said. In a release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also said no new or concerning variant of the virus has been detected in the city as per the Whole Genome Sequencing Report. Mumbai recorded six COVID-19 cases between January and April this year, before a surge in May saw the detection of 435 cases, while the figure for June stood at 539, the release informed. As on Friday, there are 62 active COVID-19 cases in the city, though ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lower back pain is a national crisis that can affect the country's productivity, said Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Friday, urging entrepreneurs to build India's first AI-powered spinal diagnostic platform. He was addressing the 5th Annual Conference of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery-Asia Pacific (SMISS-AP), in Mumbai. The Adani Group Chairman expressed shock over lower back pain becoming a leading cause of disability in the country and noted how it can destroy the dreams of the nation. "I was shocked to learn that low back pain is n ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
Pasighat: In a bid to encourage oil palm cultivation among farmers, the Custom Hiring Centre (CHC), Pasighat Block of Arunachal Pradesh, conducted a training programme on oil palm for the first time at 4 Mile in Pasighat, on Sunday. The event was attended by several farmers, particularly new oil palm growers, who participated with great interest. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! The programme was led by CHC Pasighat Block Chairman Dr. Otem Yomso and attended by the District Agriculture Officer of East Siang District, Opang Moyong, along with re ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) system has emerged as one of the biggest success stories in the last decade, reflecting a growing formal economy and rising compliance, noted economist and former IMF Executive Director, Dr Surjit Bhalla, said on Tuesday. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Bhalla highlighted that GST has not only increased tax revenue significantly but has also brought more businesses and individuals under the formal tax net. "The GST has performed well, and more individuals have entered the formal tax net. That's a good sign," he sa ...Read More >
Chennai, Dec 10 (PTI) Standalone health insurance company Star Health Insurance has targeted doubling its business in Tamil Nadu over the next four years, a top official said. As part of its growth strategy, the company plans to add 12,000 new agents across Tamil Nadu and expand its footprint with 25 new offices in both rural and urban areas in FY2025. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission Latest News: Narendra Modi Government Likely To Hike DA for Employees by 3% in January 2025, Check Details. Star ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chronic pain is no longer just a personal struggle it's a silent epidemic. According to a landmark study published in BMC Geriatrics, nearly 47% of Indians aged 45 and above report joint pain, and over 31% live with persistent back pain. Despite these alarming figures, the majority of patients delay seeking medical attention relying on over-the-counter painkillers, home remedies, or simply "learning to live with it." Experts warn that this neglect can lead to irreversible damage, disability, and serious health complications. The study, which analyzed responses from over 58,000 indi ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Chennai: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, controlled by the Prathap Reddy family, has announced a significant reorganisation where its pharmacy distribution and digital health operations will be carved out into a separate entity. This new entity, Apollo Healthtech, will seek listing on stock exchanges over the next 18 to 21 months, with current Apollo Hospitals shareholders receiving proportionate shares in the new company. The deal will create a leading omni-channel pharmacy distribution and digital health platform in India with revenues of Rs 16,300 crore ($1.9 billion), Apollo Hospitals said in ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
PRNewswire Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 13: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, the first standalone health insurance company in India, today announced the launch of its revolutionary retail health insurance product, 'SUPER STAR'. This innovative policy offers a long-term policy for the retail health segment, combining advanced features and highly customisable covers to address the growing complexities of modern lifestyles, rising medical expenses, and unforeseen emergencies. * Offers a long-term policy and unparalleled, highly customisable solutions for evolving heal ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 26 (ANI): As part of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive), Kochi, has conducted an awareness campaign for school children under 'Mission Drug Free India'. Shaikh Khader Rahaman, Chief Commissioner, Central Tax, Central Excise and Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone, inaugurated the function, and T Tiju, Commissioner, CCP,Kochi, conducted an Awareness Session for the students at the Govt. Higher Secondary School for Girls, Ernakulam. Also Read | Will You Lose Your EPFO Pension From August If You ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) A team of Israeli and US researchers have developed a simple blood test that can detect a person's risk of developing leukaemia -- a deadly blood cancer. In the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers suggested that this test may replace the current more invasive method of bone marrow sampling used to diagnose certain blood cancers, Xinhua news agency reported. The team led by researchers from Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel focused on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) -- an age-related condition in which blood-forming stem ce ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >
Biocon Biologics, in collaboration with Diabetes Africa and St Paul’s Hospital in Ethiopia, has launched the Embedding Specialist Nurses in Diabetes Care project. The initiative focuses on training nurses to become diabetes specialists to address the country’s growing diabetes crisis. With Ethiopia ranking among the top countries in sub-Saharan Africa for diabetes prevalence, this project aims to integrate diabetes care into primary healthcare, enhancing accessibility and care quality. By upskilling nurses and establishing a structured pathway for them, the program seeks to improve diabetes ma ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, delivered the keynote address at a special programme themed 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a release. JP Nadda said that a healthy India is necessary for Viksit Bharat, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle. Organized by the Food Safety an ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) projects that by 2030, every year cancer will affect 45,813 women and 43,930 men in Kerala. This forecast, shared at the Kerala Cancer Conclave organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), reflects growing concerns among medical experts regarding the increasing cancer burden in the state. In 2024, 43,110 men and 45,008 women were diagnosed with cancer, making the projected rise seem relatively modest. However, Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-NCDIR, which oversees ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Adopting a healthier lifestyle is more effective than using the anti-diabetes drug metformin, with the benefits persisting over 20 years later, according to a study. The US Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in 1996, enrolled 3,234 patients with prediabetes from 30 institutions across 22 states. The study aimed to compare the benefits of metformin and a lifestyle modification that included exercise and a healthy diet. Researchers from The University of New Mexico, US, found that making lifestyle changes lowered the development of diabetes by 24 per cent, while the a ...Read More >
Hyderabad-based dialysis care network, NephroPlus, has urged policymakers to include Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) screening in India's flagship National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), as it released a white paper highlighting the rising burden of CKD across India and neighbouring countries. Speaking at a media briefing in Hyderabad on Tuesday, NephroPlus Group CEO Rohit Singh said the findings of the white paper and a large-scale screening initiative ...Read More >
The total cost of the second phase of the project is estimated at $83.3 million, with the Tanzanian government contributing $8.33 million in counterpart funding. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $75 million loan to Tanzania for the second phase of the Centre of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences project, aimed at tackling the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in the country and the broader East African region. The total cost of the second phase of the project is estimated at $83.3 million, with the Tanzanian government contributing $8 ...Read More >
Jamshedpur, June 26: Six Rotary Clubs of Jamshedpur jointly held a press conference on Thursday at a hotel in Bistupur to share details of their ongoing and upcoming projects, marking the beginning of the new Rotary year on July 1. The event was attended by Zone 5 Assistant Governor Kusum Thakur, along with Rotary Club presidents and representatives: Suchismita (Dalma), Animesh Chhapolia (Next Gen), Ashok Jha (West), Ananna Dutta (Green), and Jitesh Chaudhary (Secretary, Steel City). President Animesh Chhapolia of Rotary Next Gen highlighted their "Water on Wheels" initiative aimed at supply ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 27 (PTI) The mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and another person accompanying her died after being shot at by unidentified bike-borne people in Punjab's Batala, police said on Friday. Harjit Kaur was critically injured after the incident on Thursday late evening and was referred to a hospital in Amritsar, but she succumbed to the bullet injuries, a senior police official from Batala said over the phone. Also Read | Mounjaro KwikPen: Eli Lilly and Company's Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Drug Gets Approval in India, To Compete With Novo's Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy. The ...Read More >
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Marking the Cooperatives Year, a two-day national seminar will be inaugurated on Friday at the Swarn Jayanti Auditorium of Vikram University. Farmers from five major states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa are set to participate in the seminar, 'Dairy Development in Madhya Pradesh: Possibilities and Challenges', under the joint aegis of the Indian Dairy Association (DA) West Zone, and Vikram University (VU). Researchers, students, milk producers from across the country, where over two lakh cooperative societies function, along with experts ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) The Delhi High Court has dismissed over 200 petitions of the Ministry of Defence challenging the Armed Force Tribunal's order holding a number of defence personnel entitled for disability pension for their respective disabilities. Disability pension cannot be denied to defence personnel solely on the ground that the onset of the disability occurred while they were posted at a peace station or by contending that it is a lifestyle disease, it said, while noting that military service is inherently stressful due to a combination of factors. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla ...Read More >
AHMEDABAD, Jul 9: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said natural farming is a scientific experiment with numerous benefits, including higher crop yield, and cautioned that growing wheat with chemical fertilisers often leads to multiple health issues. Shah noted that if a person consumes food that is devoid of chemicals and fertilizers, he won't require any medications. The senior BJP leader also said after retirement, he will dedicate rest of his life to ancient Indian scriptures Vedas, Upanishads, and also natural farming. "I have already made the decision that whenever I w ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): The clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption has received wide support as people from different walks of life, including actor Akshay Kumar, sportspersons and people from medical fraternity lauded the message to follow healthy routine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave a clarion call to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption. This has received wide support from doctors, sportspersons as well as people from different walks of life. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National G ...Read More >