Archive · 21 Sep 2025
Childhood NCDs Rise: An Invisible Epidemic in India
It's like a hidden problem where kids are getting sick with long-term illnesses, like diabetes and asthma, even though they haven't caught them from someone else.
These 'invisible' sicknesses are affecting more and more children in India.
Things like unhealthy food, not exercising, and even where they live can make them sick.
Because these illnesses start in childhood, it is essential to help kids stay healthy, so they can live better lives.
New clinics are opening and doctors are trying to help.
This can help children grow up healthy and prevent more serious problems later on.
NCDs are a growing concern in India, impacting children's health.
Childhood asthma and obesity are rising in Mumbai and Pune.
India ranks third globally for sickle cell disease burden.
Poor diets and lack of exercise are risk factors.
Early interventions, like specialized clinics, are being implemented.
- Who
- Children, experts, and health specialists in India
- What
- Increasing cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes in children
- When
- Ongoing, with early childhood as a critical period for intervention
- Where
- India, particularly in Maharashtra and urban slums
- Why
- Genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors, and poor healthcare access
- Global Deaths from NCDs
- 71%
- Deaths in India from NCDs
- Nearly two out of three
- Children Worldwide Aged 5-19 Overweight
- One in five
- India's Sickle Cell Disease Burden
- Third globally
- Estimated Cases of T1D in Maharashtra
- ~2000 new cases annually
- Estimated Cases of CHD in Maharashtra
- ~20,000 new cases annually
- Children and Adolescents in Maharashtra with Mental Health Issues
- ~8.8 million
