Promote India’s health using preventative medicine

The Rise of NCDs and Their Economic Impact

• NCDs are the leading cause of death in India, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all deaths.

• These diseases are causing a significant economic loss, with estimates suggesting they cost India around 5%-10% of its GDP.

• A World Economic Forum study projected that between 2012 and 2030, NCDs would inflict a loss of around $3.5 trillion–$4 trillion on the Indian economy.

Preventable Causes of NCDs

• Most NCDs are largely preventable, with lifestyle factors such as sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco and alcohol use, pollution, and genetic predisposition being key culprits.

• Regular health screenings, such as mammograms for breast cancer or HPV tests for cervical cancer, can detect early, curable stages of disease.

The Role of Technology in Preventive Care

• Digital health technology, including smartphone apps, wearables, and big data analytics, can deliver health advice, reminders, and risk assessments in the palm of everyone’s hand.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) can analyze vast datasets to predict an individual’s risk for various NCDs with remarkable accuracy.

Fostering a ‘Preventive Mindset’

• Preventive medicine is not just a set of services but a mindset, with individuals, communities, corporates, and governments thinking “health-first” in every action and policy.

• Public policies should be health-oriented, with urban planning creating green spaces for exercise, education curricula including health and nutrition, and food industry regulations encouraging reduced salt and sugar.