A new healthcare survey titled Non-Communicable Diseases: The New Health Challenges for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, released yesterday on August 20 has revealed that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have a higher prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, digestive, diabetes and neurological diseases, when compared to the national average.

According to the survey by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the apex trade association of the country, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have a 16.19 per cent prevalence of key NCDs, which is higher than the national average of 11.62 per cent.

“NCDs are a real threat to human life as they affect everyone irrespective of age, financial status or background. Prevention and early detection are key to arresting the rising cases,” said Vasanth Kumar, senior consultant physician, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, during the virtual release of the survey report by ASSOCHAM as part of its Illness to Wellness campaign.

Workplace pollution leading cause

According to the report, 63 per cent respondents in Andhra Pradesh face high stress.

The prevalence rate of brain disorders and kidney diseases in Andhra Pradesh stands at 2.52 per cent and 0.66 per cent respectively. This is again higher than the national average prevalence rate of 1.3 per cent for brain diseases and 0.4 per cent for kidney diseases. And, while the national prevalence rate of hypertension is 3.60 per cent, in Andhra Pradesh, it is 8.54 per cent.

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The study also found that high workplace pollution is a major contributing factor to diseases related to neurology, heart, and lung. This is mainly due to high mining, stone quarrying, and construction activities in the region, it stated.

However, it was observed that the prevalence of heart diseases, cancer, digestive diseases and respiratory diseases are lower in these two southern states when compared to the national average prevalence rate for these diseases.

As part of the survey, 233,672 people and 673 public health offices in 21 states across the country were interviewed to analyse the rising cases of NCDs and the social profile of suffering households in the country.

Impact of food and lifestyle choices

The report further underlined that the region has higher physical activities, which is reflected in the lower BMI [Body Mass Index]. However, the likely positive impact of the same on reducing the vulnerability to obesity-related NCDs is significantly reduced by other lifestyle choices such as the choice of food (high intake of salt and chillies).

The region shows lower vegetable and fruit and higher meat consumption than the national average. As per the study findings, 90 per cent of the respondents from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana consume non-vegetarian food with 68 per cent consuming red meat. “This has implications on noncommunicable diseases affecting the digestive system, heart, and hypertension,” the survey stated.

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“An unhealthy gut is the mother of all diseases, and we must take good care of our gut from a young age for a long and healthy life,” said Hyderabad-based Somasekhar Rao, gastroenterologist and hepatologist.

“I would like to stress the importance of consuming a healthy diet, regular exercise, and modification of a sedentary lifestyle. With these simple changes, we can bring a lot of difference in our lifestyle and make ourselves less vulnerable to NCDs,” he added.

Meanwhile, the experts stressed that patterns emerging from COVID19 management across the country indicate that people with comorbidities of NCDs have a higher mortality rate than those who do not.

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