India has become the world’s most populous country with more than 1.46 billion people. Unfortunately, being a populated country, reported medical issues regarding proper clinical facilities and has become a home to the deadliest diseases.
In 2024, WHO reported that around 39 million, 57% of the 68 million worldwide death cases in 2021, were caused by non-communicable diseases. Similarly, in 2021, around 49.1% of people died from these non-communicable diseases in India.
Learn about the top 10 killer diseases in India, along with warning signs, risk factors and preventive strategies.
The top 10 killer diseases in India are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, etc. Detailed information on the deadliest communicable and non-communicable diseases is mentioned below.
Ischemic heart disease is one of the major diseases that causes death in India. In 2023, India reported the highest number of deaths, 282 per 1,00,000, for cardiovascular disease compared to the worldwide level of 233 per 1,00,000.
Stroke belongs to the top 10 killer diseases in India, which happens when blood flow is blocked in the brain. In 2024, almost 700,000 deaths in India.
Among the top 10 killer diseases in India, COPD is another one that contributes to breathing difficulties. This lung disease caused a minimum of 8.7% of deaths in 2019.
Cancer is the most common cause of death in India, with 15,33,055 cases noted in 2024. The uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the body develops into tumours. Cancer can affect different organs like the breast, liver, lungs, stomach and brain.
Diarrhoea remains India’s leading cause of mortality, especially among children. India contributed 20% of the worldwide under-five-year child mortality cases annually, and diarrhoea increased by up to 36% between 2019 and 2021.
Respiratory infection is the deadliest case among the top 10 killer diseases in India. COVID-19, pneumonia, flu, and bronchiolitis are causes of death in India. In 2021, Rajasthan, a state of India, reported over 3.6 million acute respiratory infectious cases.
Tuberculosis has become a global health challenge. WHO plans to reduce 90% of TB incidence cases by 2035. It continues to be India's leading cause of mortality, with an estimated 22% death rate in 2023. This disease mainly affects the lungs.
Among the top 10 killer diseases in India, diabetes has significantly captured epidemic proportions. In 2024, the India Council of Medical Research - India Diabetes reported 10.1 crores diabetes cases.
Hepatitis C and B infections, fatty liver, and alcoholic liver disease are liver diseases with the highest mortality rate in India. India registered the highest cases, 2.98 crores of hepatitis B patients in 2022 and 55 lakhs of hepatitis C cases.
Anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia are mental health diseases with the highest mortality rate in India among adults. In 2023, India reported that around 3.3%, 44.9 million people suffered from anxiety.
Final Words
The Indian Healthcare Department is witnessing the rising complications of non-communicable diseases. Cancer, stroke, COPD, liver disease, respiratory infections and heart attack are India’s leading causes of mortality. All the top 10 killer diseases in India are life-threatening but can be prevented with lifestyle changes and proper care.
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