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A recent report by Fedo Vitals, a health insights platform, has shed light on the key challenges faced by individuals managing chronic diseases in India. Chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mental health disorders, and cancer, are now the leading causes of death and disability in the country, with hypertension and diabetes contributing to nearly 68 per cent of all cases.
According to the Fedo Vitals report, 64 per cent of patients managing chronic illnesses struggle with high treatment costs, as ongoing care, including hospital visits, medications, and home care, poses a significant financial burden. Inconsistent insurance coverage further exacerbates the issue, with 45 per cent of individuals expressing concerns over out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for advanced treatments.
Access to specialised healthcare also remains a concern, especially for rural and underserved populations. About 28 per cent of users reported living in areas with limited access to healthcare services, leading to delays in receiving essential care. Furthermore, 31 per cent of users faced difficulties accessing specialists for conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, leading to longer wait times.
The report also highlighted the challenge of adhering to lifestyle modifications, with 48 per cent of users struggling to maintain a healthy diet and 34 per cent finding it difficult to incorporate regular physical activity. Emotional factors, including depression and anxiety, affected 27 per cent of users, complicating their ability to stick to prescribed treatments and lifestyle changes.
Additionally, medication adherence remains an issue, with 22 per cent of users reporting difficulty in maintaining their medication schedule, while 37 per cent cited high medication costs as a reason for rationing or discontinuing treatment.
Mental health concerns, including depression and social isolation, were reported by 29 per cent and 18 per cent of users, respectively. Furthermore, 30 per cent of users lacked access to health-monitoring technology, and 25 per cent were unfamiliar with digital health platforms, limiting their ability to track and manage their health conditions effectively.
