Health Longevity
Context
Recently, the World Bank released a report titled Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-communicable Diseases, and Human Capital.
- This report highlighted the demographic shift in the increase of ageing population rapidly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- The report also underscored the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affecting the LMICs.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Dimensions of the Article
- What is Healthy Longevity?
- Its Significance
- Challenges
- Way forward
What is Healthy Longevity?
- It is a vision that promotes physical, mental and social well-being and tries to avoid preventable and avoidable illness to extend the years of good health.
- The report highlights the importance of treating NCDs as much as possible by enhancing the health system where accessible care, qualified healthcare professionals, and well-equipped hospitals are available for people inorder to maintain functionality into older age.
Its Significance
- Background:
- Most of the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are moving towards an ageing population with high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
- The World Bank believes that up to 25 million lives could be saved each year by 2050.
- It would support global health goals, like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3, which emphasises good health and well-being.
- India, being the second-largest country to have an elderly population, could prevent financial drain by achieving healthy longevity. It can also reduce strain on the national economy, which could otherwise impact investment and growth.
Challenges
- Healthcare Access and Infrastructure: Limited healthcare funding and facilities in the government hospitals and over-reliance on private healthcare facilities for essential services often make healthcare a costly affair for the majority of the people.
- Lifestyle: An unhealthy lifestyle and high rates of tobacco and alcohol consumption contribute to NCDs.
- Awareness: The awareness among the rural areas regarding early detection benefits remains low, further complicating NCD management.
- Healthcare Costs and Insurance Issues: Healthcare schemes often face challenges from eligibility limitations, bureaucratic delays, and occasional corruption, as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. And even insured individuals face high costs for transportation, treatment, and medications, often incurring severe financial burdens.
- Behavioural and Dietary Risks: Unhealthy diets, rich in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, increase the risks of diabetes and heart disease. Red meats and foods high in sugars or fats are also linked to cardiovascular problems. For India’s older population, these dietary risks are compounded by age-related factors like reduced physical activity and genetic susceptibility to diabetes at a younger age.
Way Forward
- India should improve its healthcare policies that can reduce hospital charges and regulate drug prices to make healthcare services accessible to all.
- Meanwhile, effective government funding for the essential services in the government hospitals and effective implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat can alleviate financial strain on low-income households.
- The government should conduct campaigns at local levels on spreading awareness regarding alcohol and tobacco consumption and also to inculcate healthy eating habits rich in nutrients.
- At the community level, programmes to educate people about the importance of regular screenings and early detection of diseases should be conducted to keep the people informed about its importance.
