Non-Communicable Diseases: A Global and Indian Perspective

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers, have emerged as the foremost global health challenge. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are not transmitted from person to person but arise through complex interactions among genetic, environmental, behavioral, and physiological determinants. Modifiable lifestyle-related factorssuch as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumptionplay a pivotal role in their increasing prevalence. The global burden is particularly alarming in low- and middle-income countries, where demographic shifts, urbanization, and health inequities exacerbate the problem. India, undergoing a significant epidemiological transition, vividly reflects this trend. States such as Andhra Pradesh report high diabetes prevalence, rising cardiovascular mortality, and tobacco-related cancers. This paper critically reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, health system challenges, and policy responses to NCDs at global and national levels, with a case study from Andhra Pradesh, and underscores the need for integrated prevention and control strategies.