Study: Leading cause of deaths in India shifts from infectious to NCDs

Key Highlights:

• The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report 2023 indicates a shift in India from infectious diseases to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as the leading cause of death.
• In 1990, diarrhoeal diseases were the leading cause of death in India, with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 300.53 per lakh population.
• In 2023, ischaemic heart disease became the leading cause of death, with an ASMR of 127.82 per lakh population.
• India's overall life expectancy increased by 13 years between 1990 (58.46 years) and 2023 (71.56 years).

Detailed Insights:

• The GBD report involved over 16,500 collaborators globally, providing insights for policymakers and healthcare leaders.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and stroke were the second and third leading causes of death in India in 2023, with ASMR rates of 99.25 and 92.88 per lakh, respectively.
• While COVID-19 was the leading cause of death in 2021, it dropped to the 20th position in 2023 in India.
• Factors such as delayed industrialization, urbanization, and globalization have contributed to the rise in NCDs in India.
• The focus should shift towards healthy aging and preventing NCDs due to increased life expectancy but higher morbidity levels.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR): A measure of the rate of death in a population, adjusted to a standard age distribution.
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Diseases that are not infectious and cannot be transmitted from person to person, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Global Burden of Disease (GBD): A comprehensive regional and global research program that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors.