Public Health Challenges in India: Dual Burden of Disease
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs6
- Articles1
Background
This concept is critical for understanding India's health sector, policy formulation (e.g., National Health Policy, Ayushman Bharat), implications for the demographic dividend, and progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and well-being.
India faces a complex public health landscape characterized by a 'dual burden of disease,' where persistent issues of undernutrition (stunting, wasting) coexist with a rapidly rising prevalence of overnutrition (obesity) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension. This poses significant challenges to healthcare systems and human development.
Facts & tables
- Rising Obesity
- Obesity rates are rising significantly (e.g., 22.9% to 27.3% for men, 24% to 30.7% for women in 3 years, as per NFHS-6).
- Persistent Malnutrition
- Malnutrition persists, with a decline in exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months (from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6).
- Growing NCD Burden
- Lifestyle diseases (NCDs) are a growing concern, often linked to diet and lack of exercise, requiring comprehensive screening and health system bolstering.
- Impact on Demographic Transition
- The dual burden impacts India's demographic transition, potentially leading to a 'greying nation' with increased healthcare demands for chronic conditions.
| Indicator | NFHS-5 (approx) | NFHS-6 (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity (Men) | 22.9% | 27.3% |
| Obesity (Women) | 24% | 30.7% |
| Exclusive Breastfeeding | 63.7% | 55.8% |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Formulates and implements public health policies |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Dual burden: Coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition/NCDs.
- NFHS-6 shows rising obesity, declining exclusive breastfeeding.
- NCDs (lifestyle diseases) are a growing concern.
- Requires policy focus on screening, behavior change, taxation, health system strengthening.
- Impacts demographic transition and human capital.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Joy and pain: On the NFHS-6 data
India's public health faces a 'dual burden' of persistent malnutrition and rising obesity/NCDs, requiring comprehensive policy interventions in diet, exercise, and healthcare infrastructure.
See also
Past papers
2017–2023 · 5 questions
In the news
Joy and pain: On the NFHS-6 data
India's public health faces a 'dual burden' of persistent malnutrition and rising obesity/NCDs, requiring comprehensive policy interventions in diet, exercise, and healthcare infrastructure.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I :India's public sector health care system largely focuses on curative care with limited preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care.
Statement-II: Under India's decentralized approach to health care delivery, the States are primarily responsible for organizing health services.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: India's public healthcare system prioritises curative care, which focuses on treating existing illnesses. Preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care, which aims to prevent diseases, promote good health, and help people recover from illness, receive less emphasis. * Statement II is correct: India's healthcare system follows a decentralised approach. The central government sets policies and provides financial assistance, but individual states are responsible for organising and delivering health services to their populations. This allows for flexibility based on local needs and contexts.
Therefore, the answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements:
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to provide digital health IDs for all Indian citizens to help hospitals, insurance firms, and citizens access health records electronically when required. Statement 1 is incorrect. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has not made it mandatory for adoption by private and public hospitals. Its adoption so far would be voluntary. Participation in ABDM is voluntary including for citizens. Participation of a healthcare facility or an institution is also voluntary and shall be taken by the respective management (government or private management). Statement 2 is incorrect. The aim of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is to facilitate the ease of access to medical records and it is not been mandated to have every citizen as its part though the facility is available to every citizen on a consent basis. Statement 3 is correct. ABDM will have a national footprint and will enable seamless portability across the country through a Health ID Personal Health Identifier.
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The National Nutrition Mission, also known as Poshan Abhiyaan, has several objectives. - The first objective is to create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. - The second objective is to reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. These two objectives are clearly stated in the mission's goals. Hence, statements 1 & 2 are correct. However, the promotion of the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice, and the promotion of the consumption of poultry eggs are not explicitly stated as objectives of the mission. Hence, statement 3 & 4 are incorrect.
Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government
of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The India Sanitation Coalition was launched on June 25, 2015, at FICCI, New Delhi. ISC is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together the private sector, government, financial institutions, civil society groups, media, donors/bilateral/multilateral, experts, etc., to work in the sanitation space to drive sustainable sanitation through a partnership model. It is not funded by WHO. Statement 2 is incorrect. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is India’s premier urban think tank, shaping the urban narrative since its establishment in 1976, it not an apex body. It is an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act.
Show 1 more PYQs
With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements:
1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1: Incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a minimum package of antenatal care (ANC) services only during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It does not cover post-delivery health care services for six months. The focus is on ensuring safe pregnancies through early detection and management of high-risk cases. * Statement 2: Correct. Under PMSMA, private sector health care providers (such as gynecologists, radiologists, and physicians) can volunteer to provide free services at nearby government health facilities on the 9th of every month. This public-private partnership enhances access to specialized care for pregnant women.