With an alarming rise in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases in recent years, the global health landscape has undergone a substantial transformation. Recent census shows that the prevalence of diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and multiple cancers has increased to unprecedented levels, raising concerns about the long-term effects on public health.

The term “lifestyle diseases” refers to health conditions that are primarily caused by an individual’s daily habits and choices, including but not limited to diet, physical activity, and stress levels. These diseases are often associated with long-term exposure to risk factors related to personal behavior and lifestyle choices, rather than infectious or genetic factors. Examples of lifestyle diseases include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancers.

The Growing Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases in India

Over a tenth of the population in the nation has diabetes, 35% have hypertension, and 28% have excessive cholesterol, according to a ten-year study supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). Although these situations are more common in cities, they are also rapidly expanding to rural areas.

Even though these are commonly referred to as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the way they spread is comparable to the infectious diseases. According to data gathered by the National Health Mission, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are causing a greater burden on healthcare systems than communicable diseases (CCDs).

The census data reveals a concerning trend: a consistent increase in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases has been observed in a wide range of demographic groups. Poor eating habits, elevated stress levels, and sedentary lifestyles are found to be major causes of this increase. According to estimations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 71% of deaths worldwide, with lifestyle diseases being a primary driver of this statistic.

Cardiovascular disorders are now impacting people at younger ages, despite traditionally being predominantly linked with ageing. The prevalence of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is rising, with an increasing number of cases recorded each year. The prevalence of obesity has increased to epidemic levels, increasing the risk of numerous illnesses. These figures highlight the critical need for comprehensive measures to slow the rising influence of lifestyle-related illnesses on global health.

Charting the Trajectory of Lifestyle Diseases in a Post-COVID Era

According to data, the post-pandemic era is seeing an increase in lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-communicable diseases have become increasingly prevalent in India, where they accounted for 66% of all fatalities in 2019. This is concerning. The link that COVID-19 and NCDs share—that is, their mutual exacerbation of each other’s effects—has come to light over the past three years. The leading causes of the growing healthcare burden are noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that affect the cardio-renal-metabolic systems, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular illnesses. Furthermore, with approximately 1 in 4 deaths in our Indian population being attributable to cardiovascular disorders, these conditions rank as the primary cause of death.

Anxiety, depression, and other mental health illnesses have been recorded at higher rates since COVID-19, which has had a substantial effect on mental health. The quality of life may be significantly impacted by certain chronic, long-lasting diseases.

Covid-19 may increase the chance of developing different types of cancer because it targets several proteins involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to a new study, the Covid-19 virus interacts with p53 and related pathways, which may cause oxidative damage to DNA and cells.

Since Covid-19 predominantly affects the respiratory system, even after recovering from the virus, some people may continue to have respiratory symptoms such exhaustion, shortness of breath, and cough. Furthermore, breathing in contaminated indoor air can raise your chance of getting respiratory diseases.

Post covid varying age groups have shown an increased prevalence in hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

The Power of Prevention: A Roadmap to Healthy Living

It becomes clear that early prevention is essential to the fight against lifestyle illnesses. Even if treatment options have improved due to medical advancements, prevention is still the most important factor in addressing the underlying causes of many disorders. Preventive strategies can greatly lessen the financial burden that lifestyle diseases place on healthcare systems around the world. Lifestyle diseases are very expensive to cure.

• Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: The mainstay of prevention is pushing people to have better lives. Stress management, a healthy diet, and regular exercise should all be highlighted in public health initiatives. Having the knowledge to make wise decisions about their diet and exercise habits can enable people to take charge of their health.

• Screening & Early Detection: Regular health examinations and screenings can help identify risk factors for diseases linked to a lifestyle that may develop later in life. Early detection enables early treatment and lifestyle changes, which stops the advancement of diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. These can be managed or monitored through various apps like MyFitness pal, HealthifyMe, FitBit.

• Workplace Wellness Programmes: Considering how much time people spend at work, putting in place wellness programmes at the workplace can make a big difference. These programmes, which promote a culture of health within organisations, can include fitness activities, stress management courses, and nutritional counselling.

Together, we can prioritize prevention through early identification, supportive policies, and lifestyle improvements, resulting in a more resilient and healthy global population. Since prevention is still the most effective weapon we have against the growing epidemic of lifestyle diseases, the time to take action is now.