India To Lose Over $4.58 Trn To Non-Communicable Diseases

BANGALORE: India stands to lose $ 4.58 trillion due to non-communicable diseases and mental disorders between 2012 and 2030, an amount more than double India's annual GDP, according to a report.

Out of this, cardio vascular diseases (CVDs) will account for $ 2.17 trillion and mental health conditions $ 1.03 trillion for the majority of the economic loss, the report released by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health said.

"As India's new government resets the course of the nation, this report shows that addressing this health burden must be central to the agenda," said Arnaud Bernaert, Senior Director of Global Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum here.

The report, however, said primary prevention of NCDs with a focussed approach, if implemented, can reverse this trend with a return on investment of at least 15 per cent.

The focus areas include screening, in the case of hypertension; vaccination, in the case of human papillomavirus (HPV]); and reduced tobacco use.

An intervention to improve care for depressive and anxiety disorders through collaborative stepped care, which leverages an existing healthcare infrastructure and employed lay health counsellors to deliver care, also presents a promising approach to addressing common mental health conditions in India, the report said.