Higher prevalence of NCDs in two Telugu states
The survey by Assocham noted that AP, TS have a 16.19 per cent prevalence of key NCDs, which was higher than national average of 11.62%
VIJAYAWADA: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) has, as part of its ‘Illness to Wellness’ campaign, unveiled the Andhra Pradesh-TS-specific findings of the largest primary healthcare survey report on the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the country.
The apex trade association conducted a panel discussion in virtual mode on the new health challenges for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, at which the survey report titled ‘Non-communicable diseases in India' was released and discussed.
The survey noted that the two Telugu states have a 16.19 per cent prevalence of key NCDs, which was higher than the national average of 11.62 per cent. These states have a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) like hypertension, digestive diseases, diabetes, and neurological diseases, compared to the national average prevalence rate of these diseases.
The survey covered 2,33,672 persons and 673 public health offices in 21 states. It analysed the rising cases of NCDs in the country and the social profile of the suffering households.
The study found that high pollution at workplaces in the region is a major contributing factor to diseases related to neurology, heart, and lung. The problem of workplace air pollution was confirmed by 82 per cent of the respondents.
The region shows lower vegetable and fruit consumption coupled with higher meat consumption than the national average.
Some 90 per cent of the respondents from the two states consume non-vegetarian food; with 68 per cent consuming red meat. This has implications on NCDs affecting the digestive system, heart, and hypertension.
Tobacco consumption was found to be below the national average in both the states. Thus, their impact on the prevalence of NCDs relating to hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes in these states is likely to be insignificant.
The study observed that while the national prevalence rate of hypertension is 3.60 per cent, its prevalence in AP and TS is 8.54 per cent. This is followed by digestive diseases and diabetes that have a prevalence rate of 5.65 per cent and 4.69 per cent respectively in the two states.
Digestive diseases have a national average prevalence rate of 3.05 per cent while it is 2.85 per cent for diabetes. The prevalence rate of brain disorders and kidney diseases in each of these states stands at 2.52 per cent and 0.66 per cent respectively. This is again higher than the national average prevalence rate of 1.3 per cent for brain diseases and 0.4 per cent for kidney diseases.
Dr Vasanth Kumar, senior consultant physician and president- elect, the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), said: “NCDs are a real threat to human life as it affects everyone irrespective of age, the financial status or background. Prevention and early detection are keys to arresting the rising cases of NCDs.”
Director of Total Care Control, gastroenterologist Dr Rajesh Kesari, as also Dr KS Soma Sekhar Rao, the founder and co-director of Thought Arbitrage Research Institute (TARI) Kaushik Dutta and others participated in the Webinar.