Millennials Lead Diabetes Consultations In India: Practo Insights Reveal Health Consciousness Surge Among Youth

Millennials across India are leading the charge in diabetes consultations, according to new insights from Practo, India’s top health services platform. Released on World Diabetes Day, the data shows that adults aged 25-34 contributed to 52 per cent of all diabetes-related consultations in 2024, marking a significant shift in health awareness and proactive care among younger Indians. This trend underscores a crucial development in early health management in a country where approximately 77 million adults have diabetes, and another 25 million are at risk for prediabetes. The need for such awareness is pressing, as the World Health Organization reports that more than half of diabetic individuals remain unaware of their condition, increasing the risk of severe complications without timely diagnosis and management.

Practo’s data points to an increase in consultations in Tier 1 cities, with Delhi and Bangalore leading in diabetes consultations. Specifically, Delhi accounts for 34 per cent of these consultations, followed closely by Bangalore at 31 per cent, Hyderabad at 16 per cent, Mumbai at 13 per cent, and Chennai and Pune at 3 per cent. In these cities, the 25-34 age group is the most actively engaged, demonstrating that younger adults are increasingly prioritising health management with the help of accessible digital healthcare solutions.

Beyond the major metros, Tier 2 cities are also reflecting a rise in diabetes consultations, suggesting a steady growth in health awareness across smaller cities. Kolkata tops the list in Tier 2 with 29 per cent, followed by Visakhapatnam at 19 per cent, Jaipur at 15 per cent, Bhubaneswar at 12 per cent, Ahmedabad at 9 per cent, Ghaziabad at 8 per cent, Lucknow at 5 per cent, and Chandigarh at 3 per cent. The data highlights an encouraging trend of people in smaller cities actively seeking health check-ups and consultations for diabetes management.

The age-based patterns within Tier 1 cities reveal further insights. In Chennai, the 25-34 age group leads with 58 per cent of consultations, followed by the 35-44 group at 21 per cent. Bangalore mirrors this pattern, with 25-34-year-olds accounting for half of the consultations and 35-44-year-olds for 36 per cent. In Delhi, the 25-34 age group comprises 41 per cent of consultations, closely followed by the 35-44 group at 35 per cent. Hyderabad shows similar trends with 45 per cent of consultations from 25-34-year-olds, while in Mumbai, the majority of consultations (41 per cent) are driven by the 35-44 age group. Pune also reflects a broader age range in health management, with 52 per cent of consultations from those aged 35-44.

Speaking on this shift, Dr. Pawan Goel of the Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic in New Delhi noted, "Indians as a population are affected by diabetes at a younger age and more frequently than the western society. But with the help of platforms like Practo, providing diabetes care and engaging patient participation has now become easier and more accessible. It has helped us as healthcare professionals to provide standards of care remotely, improve patient compliance, and decrease the distress faced by the patients substantially.”