India’s aged face health crisis
INDIA’S population hovers close being classified as unhealthy.
That is according to a revelation from Goqii’s India Fit Report 2024 titled: “Thriving at any age: the blueprint for healthy longevity.”
A shocking 45% of India’s population are dangerously close to being classified as unhealthy.
This statistic underscores a nation on the cusp of a health emergency, juxtaposed with a glimmer of hope for a shift towards collective wellness.
The data, derived from more than six million people, serves as a dramatic wake-up call, signalling an urgent need for transformative action in India’s health and wellness trajectory.
Last year, a staggering 59% of women were categorised as unhealthy, contrasting with 40% of men, unveiling a significant health outcome disparity with a distressing spotlight on the wide health gap between genders.
The report also showed that 16% of women fell into the obese category.
The health gender gap transcends mere numbers. It urgently highlights the necessity for targeted health interventions tailored for women.
This underscores a need to actively work towards closing this unjust gap.
“Goqii’s 2023-24 India Fit Report unveils a critical juncture in our nation’s health, with nearly half of our population teetering on the edge of a health catastrophe,” said Vishal Gondal, founder and CEO of GOQII.
“This report serves as a dire warning, especially for the women of India, to who are facing an escalating health crisis, evidenced by a 35% spike in stress levels.
“The pervasiveness of work-related anxiety and lifestyle diseases, with high blood pressure affecting 23% of our citizens, calls for an immediate, unified response.
“It’s time we prioritise and implement comprehensive health interventions to safeguard our nation’s future,” said Gondal.
“The ageing Indian population faces the most significant impact from lifestyle diseases, with seniors grappling predominantly with cognitive issues, high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.
“The report is a clarion call for action for sweeping changes in India’s approach to health and longevity.”
Adding to the situation is the fact that Indians continued to be plagued by stress, affecting the physical and mental well-being of individuals across all walks of life.
The study exposes a grim reality where 26% of Indians report being trapped in the throes of work-related stress, while financial instability plagues 17% of the population.
An even more concerning trend is the sharp rise in stress levels among women, skyrocketing from 25% in 2021 to an alarming 35% last year.
The rise in mental health concerns is closely connected to intense performance demands and high expectations common in numerous professional sectors.
The ramifications of enduring such high stress are profound, adversely affecting not only individual mental and physical well-being but also diminishing workplace productivity and impairing personal relationships.
In addition to stress, lifestyle diseases significantly impact Indians. According to the report, such conditions remain a critical concern, with high blood pressure affecting 23% of the population.
Over the last three years, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and thyroid issues were the most common lifestyle problems among people in India.
The World Health Organization estimates that these diseases are responsible for 80% of deaths worldwide. They are the leading cause of death in the developed world. Poor lifestyle choices are the main reason for these lifestyle illnesses.
Lifestyle diseases affect children, adults and the elderly.
The senior age group suffers the most from lifestyle-related ailments. Blood pressure is the most common condition in this age group with almost 48% of the population having high blood pressure, followed by diabetes at 38% and cholesterol at 30%.
The report makes a powerful plea for the adoption of preventive healthcare measures, underlining lifestyle changes and increased awareness of health as critical levers for improving the quality of life and ensuring longer, healthier lives.