Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in J&K

• 21 Oct 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a nationally renowned Diabetologist, today released the Jammu related data of the ‘first of its kind’ world's largest survey 'ICMR-India Diabetes 'INDIAB' Study to assess the prevalence of Diabetes in India.

Key Points

Key Highlights from the ICMR-INDIAB Study:

• Survey Scope and Methodology:
  • The Jammu phase of the ICMR-INDIAB study included 1,520 participants from both urban and rural areas, providing critical insights into the region’s health landscape.
  • The survey was conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research.
• Diabetes Prevalence in Jammu Region:
  • The study reveals that the overall prevalence of diabetes in the Jammu region, covering 10 districts, is 18.9%.
  • Urban areas show a higher prevalence at 26.5%, while rural areas report a rate of 14.5%, both surpassing the national average.
  • Additionally, 10.8% of the population in the region is affected by prediabetes, indicating a significant risk of developing diabetes in the future.
• Other Health Indicators:
  • The survey found the prevalence of hypertension to be 27.1%.
  • Generalised obesity affects 41.7% of the population, while 62.7% suffer from abdominal obesity, which is a known risk factor for diabetes.
• Significance of the Study:
  • The findings are expected to guide policymakers, health professionals, and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions for the prevention and management of diabetes and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Jammu, as well as across India.
• Focus on Early Detection and Maternal Health:
  • There is a need for early detection of diabetes to control the spread and recommended measures to prevent the intergenerational transmission of the disease, particularly through managing diabetes in pregnant women.
  • The need for a multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the community, and individuals to curb the rising cases of diabetes and other NCDs was also emphasised while highlighting the findings
• Health and Wellness Centres Initiative:
  • The government is setting up nearly 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres across India, focusing on the prevention and control of NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.

Diabetes

• Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a medical disorder characterised by insufficient insulin production or an abnormal response to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels.
• While 70–110 mg/dL fasting blood glucose is considered normal, blood glucose levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher is defined as diabetes.

Types of Diabetes
	Type 1 Diabetes	Type 2 Diabetes
Causes	In this, the pancreas does not make insulin, because the body’s immune system attacks the islet cells in the pancreas that make insulin.	In this, the pancreas makes less insulin and the body becomes resistant to insulin
Prevalence	Type 1 diabetes affects about 5-10% of people with diabetes, typically developing before age 30, though it can occur later in life.	Type 2 diabetes is more common but typically begins after age 30 and increases with age
Prevention	Cannot be prevented.	Can be prevented with lifestyle changes.

• Initiatives to Tackle Diabetes:
  • National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
  • World Diabetes Day
  • Global Diabetes Compact