Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Prevent premature deaths' that was published in Newsband

Prevent premature deaths

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been adding to morbidity and premature deaths in most countries. Hence it is necessary for low and middle income countries to actively pursue public health policies that will reduce the incidence of NCDs arising from diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and a high body mass index. India is also one of the vulnerable countries. This is due mainly to weak public health policies and changing lifestyles.

Non-communicable diseases are linked to the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food and drink (which are energy dense but nutrient poor). Neglect of chronic diseases by India has cost us a huge sum due to premature deaths caused by heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The losses are bound to rise in the coming years.

Most attention is paid to tobacco and alcohol since they are the cause of many diseases, including cancer. Attention need to be paid also to ultra-processed packaged food which actually is also the cause of many diseases. Consumers should be discouraged from taking in high-energy, low nutrition food. There are food manufacturers who push less harmful packaged food as being actually ‘healthy’. This tendency must be reversed by coming up with proper policies and by encouraging consumption of wholesome, fresh meals high in vegetable and fruit content.

The biscuit industry in India has been trying to displace fresh-cooked food. This has invited sharp criticism from nutritionists and development experts, according to whom the packaged meals are high in calories; sugar and salt are no substitute for fresh food and actually cause harm. They can only add to the risk of death by cardiovascular disease, they say. Hence social and political action in this matter is absolutely necessary.

The growth of middle class in India is encouraging consumerism. These families and especially toddlers are opting for fast food which is creating health problems and huge money are spent by companies to make travesty of product. Urgent attention needs to be given to this question.

The concern raised by United Nations is true that non-communicable disease is increasing in India day by day. Because of changing lifestyle and food habit people are more prone to disease. Government initiative such as Midday Meal has reduced the number of children facing malnutrition. This facility should continue. It should not be abolished from government’s program. Even NGOs should come forward and take initiative.

Illiteracy is one of major hurdle in eradication of poverty and disease in rural areas. Rural areas need to be focused upon to reduce the mortality rate. If every citizen of our country will care to contribute something for the welfare of society, only then will India rise to the position of one of the developed countries.