Chronic Diseases on the Rise in Mumbai
Health Concerns Linked to a Fast-Paced Lifestyle in India's Capital
Apr 3, 2009
The rate of chronic sickness such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) increased in Mumbai last year.
This is according to data analyzed by the NGO Praja Foundation between January and December 2008.
Rising Rates of Diabetes and Hypertension Among Mumbaikers
The group looked at results taken from 25 public hospitals and four state hospitals and dispensaries in India's capital city.
Their findings indicate the rate of diabetes and hypertension rose to 17, 313 cases. This is nearly sixty percent more than reported malaria cases and almost twice the rate of typhoid.
Heavy Health Costs of Living in Mumbai
In previous years the most common ailments have been malaria, tuberculosis and cholera.
The changing pattern is a result of several factors, most of which are linked to the heavy health costs of living in this rapidly expanding city of over 13 million people.
According to the NGO, the changing health problems are the result of an increasingly hurried lifestyle. Work hours have risen over the last few years as India's economy has expanded on a global scale.
As a result stress levels have gone up. Instances of heart attacks and strokes have become more common- even among a younger generations in their 20s and 30s.
The high cost of living in Mumbai has forced many to move to the outlying areas. Commuting to and from work can take up to three times longer compared with only a couple years ago.
The overall lack of sleep and time means more people are eating on the run and less have leisure time to spend with friends and family. Eating processed foods (high in sugar, salt and cholesterol) may be commonplace in the west, but it is still a relatively new phenomenon in India.
Long-term Health Effects of Life in Mumbai
The city's constant hustle means noise pollution has exacerbated to levels where doctors say it may affect the body internally. Symptoms include high blood pressure, kidney failure, anxiety and panic attacks, and immunity problems.
The reason for concern is the ensuing long term effects. Over time, living with chronic stress poses endemic health problems both mentally and physically. As the fast-paced lifestyle becomes the norm in Mumbai, it also becomes harder to change or remedy.
The attention over rising rates of chronic disease does not mean the threat of infectious diseases has itself disappeared.
‘Traditional’ ailments such as malaria, tuberculosis and cholera continue to play a viable threat to the health of many Mumbaikers, as well as to the rest of India.
While this ‘on-the-run’ phenomenon is perhaps not so recent in Mumbai, as compared to the rest of the country, the Indian media has given recent attention to the topic.
In particular, concern has been raised that a lack of adequate stress management facilities exists. Who and how will these health problems be managed?
As more people become aware of what is available, in terms of health and wellness aid and education, more Mumbaikers can also be encouraged to take action before health problems become severe.
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