{"id":61223,"date":"2025-08-11T10:40:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T10:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/61223\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T10:40:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T10:40:12","slug":"prosperity-paradox-south-indias-economic-rise-shadowed-by-nations-highest-diabetes-burden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/61223\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Prosperity paradox\u2019: South India\u2019s economic rise shadowed by nation\u2019s highest diabetes burden"},"content":{"rendered":"

While southern and economically advanced states have diabetes rates exceeding 30 percent, many central and north-eastern states record much lower prevalence. \n <\/p>\n

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Published Aug 11, 2025 | 7:00 AM \u268a Updated Aug 11, 2025 | 9:23 AM<\/p>\n


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\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\"\u2018Prosperity<\/p>\n

The study found higher income, higher education, and obesity strongly linked to increased diabetes risk. <\/p>\n

Synopsis: Nearly one in three middle-aged and older adults in South India have diabetes, with Kerala and Puducherry being the worst affected according to a nationwide survey. Across India, 19.8 percent of people aged 45 and older are estimated to be living with the condition, with urban prevalence (30 percent) double that of rural areas (15 percent). The study highlights substantial gaps in diagnosis and treatment, with 40 percent of cases undiagnosed and only one state meeting any of the World Health Organization\u2019s 2030 diabetes targets.<\/p>\n

Nearly one in three middle-aged and older adults in South India are living with diabetes, with the southern states among the worst affected in the country, according to a new nationwide survey.<\/p>\n

Kerala and Puducherry are the most severely affected, each with an age-adjusted prevalence of 36 percent. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka follow closely, with Tamil Nadu alone accounting for over 6 million people aged 45 and above living with the condition.<\/p>\n

Across India, 19.8 percent of people aged 45 and older \u2013 about 5.04 crore people \u2013 are estimated to have diabetes.<\/p>\n

The study, published<\/a> in The Lancet Global Health, analysed data from nearly 58,000 people across India between 2017 and 2019 as part of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). It represents the most detailed state-by-state mapping of diabetes in the country to date.<\/p>\n

While southern and economically advanced states have diabetes rates exceeding 30 percent, many central and north-eastern states record much lower prevalence.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur study provides updated, nationally representative and state-representative data of diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control using HbA1c concentrations among middle-aged and older adults in India,\u201d the researchers said.<\/p>\n

Urban areas show particularly worrying trends, with prevalence at 30 percent \u2013 double the rural rate of 15 percent.<\/p>\n

Also Read: When diabetes strikes the undernourished: The rise of type 5\u2028<\/a>
\nEconomic growth and rising risk<\/p>\n

One of the most striking findings is the strong positive correlation between state-level economic development and diabetes prevalence. States with higher per capita GDP consistently show higher rates of diabetes, creating what researchers describe as a \u201cprosperity paradox\u201d, where economic success brings new health challenges.<\/p>\n

\"People<\/a><\/p>\n

People practise the low-impact technique. A recent study of studies said that tai chi can help in diabetes regulation (Tai Chi Federation of India)<\/p>\n

The study found higher income, higher education, and obesity strongly linked to increased diabetes risk. Among obese individuals (BMI \u226525 kg\/m\u00b2), prevalence was 34.6 percent, compared with 7.3 percent among those who were underweight. Those with secondary education or higher had a crude diabetes prevalence of 29.2 percent, compared with 15.1 percent among those with no education.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe variation in diabetes prevalence across states reinforces the notion that India\u2019s states are \u2018nations within a nation\u2019 with different trajectories of diabetes burdens, partly reflecting different levels of economic development,\u201d the study\u2019s authors noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross individuals, we found strong associations between diabetes and individual-level characteristics of urban residence, higher education, and proxy measures of better economic status. Our recent data support the notion that India continues to be at a stage in the nutrition transition characterised by greatest diabetes prevalence among higher socioeconomic groups.\u201d<\/p>\n

This pattern reflects how traditional diets and active lifestyles are giving way to calorie-rich foods and sedentary behaviours as economic conditions improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the context of ongoing economic development and epidemiological transition in India, our results might reflect a continuation of this upward trend,\u201d the researchers observed, noting that the country\u2019s economic gains are also driving a health crisis.<\/p>\n

Also Read: Are you diabetic? Read these tips from Dr V Mohan to kickstart a healthy lifestyle<\/a>
\nGaps in awareness and treatment<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the diabetes epidemic is not only its scale but also the large gaps in awareness and treatment, leaving millions vulnerable to serious complications.<\/p>\n

The study found that 40 percent of people with diabetes \u2013 about 20 million individuals \u2013 are completely unaware they have the condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cApproximately 40 percent of people with diabetes were unaware of their condition,\u201d the researchers said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmong those who were aware of their diabetes, depending on the definition of the target, 46\u201360 percent achieved glycaemic control, 28\u201359 percent achieved blood pressure control, and 6\u20137 percent were taking a lipid-lowering medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

These figures highlight a serious shortfall in diabetes care, putting millions at risk of kidney disease, blindness, and heart problems.<\/p>\n

The World Health Organization\u2019s Global Diabetes Compact has set ambitious targets for 2030, but India\u2019s performance is far behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2021, the WHO Global Diabetes Compact released worldwide targets for 2030 that at least 80 percent of people with diabetes are diagnosed, and out of those with a diagnosis, at least 80 percent achieve glycaemic control,\u201d the researchers noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one state in LASI achieved any of the four recommended targets in the WHO Global Diabetes Compact. Arunachal Pradesh achieved the target for HbA1c concentration less than 8.0 percent among those with diagnosed diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The low use of lipid-lowering medications is a particular concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that fewer than one in ten people with diagnosed diabetes reported using lipid-lowering medications such as statins is also noteworthy,\u201d the researchers said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur findings suggest that considerable progress must be made towards these national targets to achieve them in the proposed timeline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also Read: Diabetes diagnosis: Diabetologist explains why age matters<\/a>
\nAn ageing nation facing a looming crisis<\/p>\n

The diabetes epidemic is unfolding alongside rapid demographic changes that threaten to worsen the crisis in coming decades.<\/p>\n

The study\u2019s focus on adults aged 45 and above provides key insights into how an ageing population will interact with diabetes prevalence to create unprecedented health challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe finding of greater diabetes prevalence in older age groups is important given that India\u2019s population is rapidly ageing,\u201d the researchers emphasised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese demographic shifts suggest that, in the coming years, the total number of middle-aged and older adults with diabetes will increase even if the rise in age-specific diabetes prevalence can be halted.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study\u2019s methodology \u2013 using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements rather than relying only on self-reported diagnoses \u2013 offers a more accurate estimate of diabetes prevalence than many previous studies.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur study showed greater age-stratified and sex-stratified diabetes prevalence in India than observed in most previous studies that used population data from multiple states or meta-analytical methods,\u201d the researchers observed.<\/p>\n

The economic implications are significant.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiabetes affects approximately 20 percent of the middle-aged population in India, yet the ineffective disease control reported in our study for this group bodes poorly in terms of shortened life expectancy, risk of disability, and reduced economic output as these individuals age,\u201d the researchers warned.<\/p>\n

Also Read: In India, it\u2019s not the job, it\u2019s the stress behind Type 2 diabetes, say doctors<\/a>
\nPolicy coordination and monitoring are key<\/p>\n

The decentralised nature of India\u2019s health system adds complexity to any attempts at tackling the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Indian health system is decentralised, and thus an implication of our study is the need to tailor the policy responses proposed in this plan to each Indian state while also ensuring coordination mechanisms across states,\u201d they noted.<\/p>\n

The study also highlights the importance of regular population-based surveys to monitor progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs both a nationally representative and state-representative survey of diabetes prevalence and care, our survey also reinforces the need for periodic population-based surveys to assess progress towards national and global diabetes targets,\u201d the authors said.<\/p>\n

The research was conducted in the years just before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted access to healthcare.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur survey was conducted in the years immediately preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted access to health care and healthy lifestyle patterns of adults with chronic diseases including diabetes in India,\u201d the researchers noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cFuture studies are needed to understand the population-level impact of COVID-19 on prevalence and care of diabetes in India.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Edited by Dese Gowda)<\/p>\n

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