Addressing the Public Health Crisis: Rising Non-Communicable Diseases in India


The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India has reached alarming levels, posing a severe public health crisis. Recent data and studies highlight the urgent need for effective measures to combat these diseases.

The Grim Statistics

  1. NCD Mortality: Nearly 58 lakh people in India die from NCDs each year out of nearly 90 lakh overall deaths.
  2. Childhood Nutrition and Obesity: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5-2021), under-nutrition in children remains stagnant, with one in three children affected. Simultaneously, obesity is on the rise among children under five years old. The percentage of obese women increased to 24% from 20.6% in 2015-16, and for men, it rose to 22.9% from 18.4% in the same period.
  3. Diabetes and Hypertension: The International Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study reveals that as of June 2023, India had approximately 10.1 crore people with diabetes, 13.6 crore with prediabetes, 31.5 crore with hypertension, and 25.4 crore with generalized obesity.
  4. Metabolic Obesity in Children: The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) 2016 reported that over half of the children surveyed exhibited signs of metabolic obesity, regardless of their weight or height.
  5. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs): Consumption of UPFs in India has significantly risen. A 2020 study by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) showed many categories of these foods failed on thresholds for energy, total sugar, added sugar, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium.

The Need for Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL)

Given these alarming statistics, it is crucial to expedite the implementation of Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL) on packaged foods. These labels will serve as a powerful tool for consumers, allowing them to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged foods and beverages, enabling healthier choices.

Call to Action

We urge the National Human Rights Commission to continue its proactive role in this matter by engaging with relevant authorities to ensure swift action on this critical public health issue. The steadfast dedication to the well-being of our citizens, especially children, youth, and women, is commendable and greatly appreciated.

Conclusion

Addressing the rising prevalence of NCDs requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders. By implementing FOPL and promoting healthier dietary choices, we can significantly mitigate the impact of NCDs and enhance the health and well-being of our population.

Shruti Nagvanshi, Convenor, Savitri Bai Phule Women Forum, and Shirin Shabana Khan, Program Director, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, continue to champion health equity at the grassroots. Their efforts highlight the urgent need for systemic changes to combat the growing public health crisis in India.

Addressing the Public Health Crisis: Rising Non-Communicable Diseases in India by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrating Partnership: A Step Towards a Healthier World

Image
Celebrating Partnership: A Step Towards a Healthier World Date: February 22, 2024 Author: Lenin Raghuvanshi, Chief Functionary/CEO, JanMitra Nyas Dear Advocates for Health, I am delighted to share with you the culmination of a significant milestone in our journey towards promoting cardiovascular health and protecting the well-being of children and mothers. Today, I received a letter from Ms.Pamela Sumner Coffey jee, Vice President of Global Operations at Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, confirming the closeout of our project, "Consolidating collective voices for strong FoPL regulation to protect child and maternal health." First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, particularly to Ms. Pamela Sumner Coffey jee and the entire team, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the duration of this project. Your belief in our vision and your commitment to improving global health have been instrumental in driving our efforts for
Read more

Honoring Advocacy: Dr. Sanjay Paswan's JanMitra Samman and the Neo-Dalit Movement

Image
Prof. Sanjay Paswan was honored by the renowned artist Mr. Dheerendra Sisodia at the PVCHR office. Team of PVCHR, Jan Jagriti Trust and All India Brahmin Mahasabha with Prof Sanjay Paswan  Citation of JanMitra Award to Prof. Sanjay Paswa n Prof. Sanjay Paswan was honored by the renowned artist Mr. Dheerendra Sisodia at the PVCHR office. Prof. Sanjay Paswan received the JanMitra Award from Pandit Rakesh Ranjan Tripathi, Vice President of the All India Brahmin Mahasabha, UP chapter, at the PVCHR office. Dr. Sanjay  Paswan , Member of legislative Council of Bihar, a distinguished Indian BJP politician and former Minister of State for Human Resource Development in the Vajpayee government, has long been a staunch advocate for marginalized communities, particularly the Dalits. His unwavering commitment to social justice and grassroots activism has earned him prestigious awards such as the JanMitra Samman, recognizing his significant contributions. On February 12, 2024, Prof. Sanjay Paswan re
Read more

Patna Declaration: Uniting Political Parties for Children's Health

Image
  On February 7, 2024, in Patna , a significant public dialogue took place at the Kasturba Gandhi Assembly Hall within the premises of the Gandhi Museum. The event, which saw participation from 85 individuals, was organized by a coalition consisting of the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), People’s Initiative for Participatory Action for Food Labelling (PIPAL), All India Hawkers Forum, Bandi Adhikar Andolan, and Indian Roti Bank. The primary focus of this gathering was to advocate for "Warning label Front-of-Package Labeling" as a means to address the rising concerns of non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, and obesity. In a historic move, all political parties in Bihar have come together to endorse the Patna Declaration, a significant step towards safeguarding children's health by advocating for Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) on packaged food items. This groundbreaking agreement, signed on February 7, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the fight aga
Read more