India’s escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic respiratory issues is under the spotlight in the latest survey by Fedo’s Health Insights platform. The study underscores lifestyle factors, including sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, and stress, as major contributors to these conditions, which pose significant health and financial challenges for society.
Fedo, a health-tech company leveraging artificial intelligence, conducted the survey to explore how digital technologies can help mitigate NCD risks. Their platform offers a personalised health rating system that assesses health indicators and provides actionable advice for managing wellness effectively.
The survey presents a stark picture of India’s health landscape. Elevated blood pressure emerged as a major concern, affecting 31 per cent of users, and increasing risks of kidney damage and cardiovascular complications. Obesity was identified in 28 per cent of users, strongly linked to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Heart health indicators showed irregular heart rate patterns in 18 per cent of users, signalling potential coronary heart disease, while low heart rate variability—a stress-linked marker—was noted in 22 per cent. Smoking habits were prevalent among 17 per cent of users, exacerbating risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Abnormal respiration rates, often indicating chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, were observed in 16 per cent of users. Elevated random blood sugar levels, a risk factor for diabetes or prediabetes, were detected in 20 per cent of users.
The report further categorised users based on specific NCD risks, flagging 29 per cent for hypertension, 21 per cent for diabetes, 17 per cent for cardiovascular diseases, and 16 per cent for chronic respiratory conditions. Chronic kidney disease risks, closely tied to hypertension and diabetes, were flagged in 12 per cent of users.
The findings reveal notable differences in health risks and behaviours across urban and rural populations. Urban users showed higher engagement with health-monitoring platforms, with 65 per cent actively tracking their vitals. However, they also faced higher obesity rates, with 33 per cent classified as obese compared to 24 per cent in rural areas, largely due to sedentary lifestyles and stress. Meanwhile, rural users exhibited higher rates of elevated blood sugar, with 35 per cent showing abnormal levels, and 21 per cent identifying as smokers, reflecting limited access to preventive healthcare and health awareness.
The survey highlighted the positive impact of digital health platforms on lifestyle improvements. Among flagged users, 47 per cent reported adopting healthier diets, increasing physical activity, or reducing smoking. Notably, 35 per cent of smokers reduced or quit smoking after receiving risk alerts. However, physical inactivity remained a persistent issue, particularly in urban areas, contributing to higher body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular risks.
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