HYDERABAD: Telangana is facing a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with diabetes, hypertension and obesity emerging as major public health concerns, according to the recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) 2023-24.
The survey data reveals that 24.5% of men and 19.6% of women aged 15 and above have high blood sugar levels (above 140 mg/dl) or take medication to control diabetes. This marks a significant spike from the previous NFHS-5 survey (2019-21), where diabetes prevalence stood at 14.7% for women and 19.6% for men.
Hypertension remains another growing challenge. NFHS-6 found that 26.4% of women and 29.5% of men aged 15 and above suffer from high blood pressure or take blood pressure medication. Many individuals remain unaware of their condition until serious complications, such as heart attacks or strokes, occur.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption also continue to pose severe health risks, particularly among men. Nearly 18.8% of men use tobacco products, while 23.1% consume alcohol, increasing the likelihood of chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, liver disorders, and cardiovascular problems.
Public health experts attribute the rising NCD burden to rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, stress, and diets rich in processed foods. They emphasise the need for regular health screenings, early diagnosis, physical activity, and community-based awareness programmes.
The NFHS-6 findings indicate that Telangana’s healthcare system must pivot toward preventing and managing lifestyle-related ailments, according to health experts, who warn that without robust preventive measures, NCDs could become the state’s biggest health challenge in the coming decade.