Assessing, addressing chronic diseases in India

Both diabetes and high blood pressure are highly prevalent in India and affect people from all levels of society, according to a new Latest Thinking video.

The video features Pascal Geldsetzer, postdoctoral research fellow in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Global Health and Population. In the video, Geldsetzer summarizes data and findings from two 2018 studies he led on diabetes and hypertension in India, accompanied by easy-to-understand graphics. Key findings include: The prevalence of diabetes is 8% across India, and the prevalence of hypertension is 25%; even among 18 to 25-year-olds in India, hypertension prevalence is high (12%); and both diabetes and hypertension prevalence is higher in urban areas and among older people.

Geldsetzer said the study findings can provide insight into where to focus health interventions to curb chronic conditions in India.

Watch the Latest Thinking video: How Can We Improve the Response to Chronic Conditions in India?

Learn more

High rates of diabetes, hypertension found in India (Harvard Chan School release)

In India, a rural-urban divide for heart disease (Harvard Chan School news)