Know Health Insurance Can Tackle Lifestyle Diseases in India
Updated On Oct 18, 2020
Health Insurance is a Must to Tackle Lifestyle Diseases in India
When we talk about lifestyle diseases, these are the disease which takes root in our body due to our way of living life. These diseases are sometimes also referred to as the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). These lifestyle diseases have seen a rise in the last 10 years. These are characterized by a slow infection, which is usually symptomless for a long time. Most of these diseases are not curable. The major issue is that these are not responsive to drugs quickly.
Causes of Lifestyle Diseases
Lack of activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, bad lifestyle habits, and the degradation of the environment are the major factors that lead to these lifestyle diseases. A sedentary life is also a primary reason behind these diseases. With its virtual interaction and decreased social interference, the world of today has played an essential role in the development of these diseases.
Health Scenario in India
The WHO data suggests that India has the highest number of diabetics in the world. The number touched the 61 million mark in 2016. Apart from that, the Indian society has seen a significant rise in other lifestyle diseases as well. The cholesterol has increased by 40% in the ages below 45 years. The thyroid cases increased by about 9.6% last year. The statistics of blood pressure and diabetic cases are always demoralizing to study.
The sad part of the reality is that the government agencies' survey report, in collaboration with leading corporations, states that only 11-12% of the Indian citizens are insured.
Prominent Lifestyle Diseases in India
According to the government data and reports presented by various health organizations, these are India's major lifestyle diseases.
- Diabetes: As per the data presented by both WHO and NCBI, India leads the world in terms of its diabetic citizens. Diabetes leads to many subsequent disorders, which in most cases, turn out to be fatal.
- Hypertension: National Family Health survey done in 2017 stated that every Indian in eight citizens suffers from hypertension. Hypertension, or as it is commonly known as high blood pressure among the masses, leads to stroke and coronary disorders.
- Coronary Disorders: India also tops the list when it comes to heart diseases. As per the records in 2016, the number stands at 54.6 million.
- Obesity: The country is ranked second in this list as per the World Health Organisation data. The number currently increases by more than 40% every year.
- Cancer: The data released by the government agencies revealed that there are 258 cancer patients per lakh population in India as of 2019. This is expected to increase significantly by 2025.
Why is Insurance Important for Lifestyle Diseases?
Apart from the recent rise in lifestyle diseases, insurance is important for lifestyle diseases because of the following reasons:
- Rising Healthcare Cost: The cost of hospitalization and healthcare is on a rise. Thus, the best option is to get yourself insured, so that medical emergencies do not put a strain on your
savings.
- Low Premium at Low Age: When you are young, there are fewer chances of lifestyle diseases, and there is significantly less premium because there is a lot of time expected when these diseases would plague you. The insurance also incorporates accidental coverage.
- Employer's insurance cover is not permanent and Exhaustive: The employer's insurance cover is limited only to the point you are employed. In the case of lifestyle diseases, these are not beneficial because they raise their filthy heads, usually after retirement.
Conclusion: Health Insurance is a Must For Stability
In this world and even the one we are heading for, it would be as such that the absence of health insurance would lead to a significant dent in your savings, which would mess up your life real bad. In many cases, the lack of health insurance may lead to you not getting proper healthcare. This could cause the difference between your life and death.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
