The Hindu Huddle to Highlight Rising Tide of Non-Communicable Diseases in India

India has the highest number of people living with diabetes globally, with an estimated 212 million cases in 2022. According to the World Health Organization, 77 million people in India above the age of 18 are suffering from diabetes (type 2), and nearly 25 million are prediabetic. This is a staggering number, and the situation is further complicated by the presence of hypertension, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung disease. NCDs, or non-communicable diseases, are caused by a combination of factors such as changing lifestyles, environmental factors, and genetics, and have grown to a significant proportion in the country. The message is that interventions must be immediate and effective, both in terms of launching treatment and prevention strategies. A session titled “Non-communicable diseases: Trojan horse of India’s health” will be held in Bengaluru on May 9 and 10. The session will discuss the multiple dimensions of India’s NCD ‘epidemic’ and evaluate strategies that may be deployed by the public and private health sectors to ensure that the tide is stemmed and that all those who already have NCDs have access to treatment and affordable healthcare. The panel will feature three key experts from India who stand at various points of the care paradigm. They will share real-time experiences and possible solutions for the way forward. The moderator will be Ramya Kannan, Health Editor and Chief of Bureau, Tamil Nadu, The Hindu.

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