Latest news with #GlobalBurdenofDiseaseStudy2021
India Today
04-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Covid's hidden toll: Mental health, malaria, heart disease
Covid's hidden toll: Mental health, malaria, heart disease Credit: Getty Images A new study by the BMJ has revealed that the pandemic disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, leading to sharp rises in illness and death from non-Covid causes such as mental health issues, malaria, stroke, and heart disease. Covid disrupted more than just infections Data from 204 countries including India revealed that depressive disorders increased by 23% in children aged 5–14 between 2020 and 2021. Mental health disorders surged in children Malaria deaths jumped by 14% in children under five, and the age-standardised death rate rose by 12%, with the highest burden seen in the African region. Malaria deaths rose among young children People aged 70 and older saw significant increases in heart disease and stroke prevalence, with ischemic heart disease affecting 169 per 100,000 and stroke affecting 27 per 100,000 in this group. Heart disease and stroke worsened Age-standardised DALY (disability-adjusted life years) rates rose by 12% for depression and anxiety, and by 14% for anxiety alone. Mental health disease burden The study highlights how Covid-19 interacted with existing health problems to create a 'syndemic'—a situation where multiple health issues overlap and worsen outcomes for populations. The pandemic caused a 'syndemic' health crisis Researchers used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to simulate the impact across 174 conditions in different age groups and regions—offering one of the most comprehensive views to date. Data used Researchers call for better resilience in health systems, including integrated surveillance, emergency funding for essential services, and expansion of universal health coverage. Stronger health systems are needed This study highlights how data can guide smarter recovery to ensure that future health crises disrupt lives less and afflict populations more evenly, say researchers.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Mounjaro in India: The speed bumps impacting access to weight loss drugs
The immensely successful new age weight loss jabs have finally come to India with the recent launch of Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and more are likely to be launched in the due course of time. These drugs couldn't have come at a more critical moment as India is staring down the barrel of a double engine public health crisis of rising cases of diabetes and obesity. Also read: Obesity's new spin: is it time to say 'bye BMI'? India finds itself in the second spot on a far-from-flattering obesity list. With 180 million, India had a higher incidence of obesity than the USA, which came third with 172 million, as per the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. China tops that list with 402 million obese adults. Things are only going to get worse, as per a forecasting study published in The Lancet in March this year, which estimated that more than half of the world's population — 3.8 billion adults and 746 million children and young adults — will be obese or overweight by the year 2050 if urgent action isn't taken. India also has the second highest number of adults (20-79 years) with diabetes in the world with almost 90 million adults afflicted in the country, according to the latest Diabetes Atlas report. By 2050, this number is forecast to go up to 156.7 million. The new age injectable obesity drugs such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Ozempic and Wegovy (both semaglutide) are intended for individuals with obesity, particularly those with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis. In India, these weight-loss jabs are not over-the-counter drugs and require a doctor's prescription, says Dr. Sanjay Khare, director for bariatric medicine, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. However, doctors also acknowledge that a black market for these drugs has existed in the country and a prescription is not the only way to access them. 'Access to these medications requires a doctor's prescription, although some individuals may acquire them from local chemists or import them from neighbouring countries at a premium cost," adds Khare. These drugs are pivotal for India due to the escalating obesity and diabetes epidemics, which are contributing significantly to related health issues. Khare contends that the ground reality is that obesity rates in India are even higher than national estimates and that obesity cannot be cured by the simplistic eat-less-exercise-more guideline. 'The introduction of weight loss drugs like Mounjaro presents a promising medical tool to combat these twin epidemics… these drugs can play a pivotal role in managing and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in India," feels says Dr. Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, director for minimal access, gastro-intestinal and bariatric surgery, CK Birla Hospital, New Delhi. Both tirzepatide and semaglutide-based weight loss injectables regulate users' appetite and make them feel full after eating by triggering the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone in the small intestine. Also read: What body positivity means in the age of Ozempic 'GLP-1 is the hormone produced in the gut after food reaches the ileum. These drugs also sensitize the pancreas to secrete more insulin leading to improved insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance. It increases energy expenditure and signals to the brain that stomach is full, which results in appetite suppression," explains Dr Manoj Jain, obesity surgeon and consultant for gastro-intestinal and laparoscopic general surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. Typically, patients are administered one jab per week during the entire duration of the treatment. Multiple studies and findings presented at last week's European Congress on Obesity in Spain made abundantly clear that the benefits of these drugs go way beyond mere weight loss, improving insulin sensitivity and managing diabetes. A study published in January found that weight-loss jabs could reduce the risk of 42 diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's, chronic kidney disease, addiction and psychiatric conditions too. Separate studies have also found that these drugs significantly cut the risk of obesity-related cancers and also have mental health benefits. However, one of the biggest hurdles in effectively utilising these new drugs to tackle India's obesity and diabetes problems is their high price. 'These weight loss jabs are relatively expensive and may not be affordable for a majority of Indians who require them," confirms Saggu. On average, they cost between ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for a month's dosage. For now, there is limited coverage for these medicines under health insurance in India, putting this treatment out of reach for the majority of the our 1.4 billion population. 'This out-of-pocket cost poses a significant financial burden, especially considering the widespread prevalence of obesity and diabetes. There is a need for policy-level interventions such as pricing regulation or subsidised schemes to make these life-altering treatments more accessible to the broader population," Saggu adds. And among those who can afford them, weight loss drugs are being misused as lifestyle interventions to achieve desired aesthetic results in quick time. Both Khare and Saggu flag 'micro-dosing' of weight-loss drugs among people of means, including celebrities, as a worrying trend that is catching on. Also read: The rise of chrononutrition: why the timing of your meals matters more than ever Micro-dosing refers to using smaller, unprescribed doses of the drugs in an attempt to avoid medical scrutiny while achieving gradual weight loss. Since Mounjaro is the only injectable available in India as of now, the supply is limited forcing many 'micro-dosers" to procure these medications through unofficial channels or importing them from abroad without a prescription, bypassing necessary medical evaluation, say doctors. 'This can be extremely risky, as such use does not take into account individual health profiles, pre-existing conditions, or potential drug interactions," warns Saggu. Furthermore, multiple studies have reported side effects such as severe constipation, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, thyroid complications, cholesterol imbalances, and other metabolic disturbances. Drug companies do not track subjects once their testing ends, so you won't find the limitations of the drugs in their literature and research. However, there is just about enough real world evidence that suggests that the shed weight, invariably, comes back once the medication stops. At the European Congress on Obesity, experts said the weight gain begins within 10 weeks of discontinuing medication. Hence, despite them being extremely effective and with multiple benefits, new age weight loss drugs cannot replace a healthy lifestyle. 'While they are effective for weight loss, they do not replace the need for a balanced approach. These drugs are not a substitute for lifestyle changes but are valuable adjuncts to diet, exercise, and overall health management. Without significant lifestyle modifications, the drugs are unlikely to yield lasting results," says Khare. Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness. Also read: Want to counter cancer's side-effects? Get exercising
The National
06-03-2025
- Health
- The National
Parkinson's disease cases forecast to top 25 million worldwide by 2050
The number of people living with Parkinson's disease worldwide could more than double by 2050 to more than 25 million, a study suggests. The predicted rise is largely down to an ageing and growing population, researchers said. Researchers said people getting older 'was estimated to be the leading contributor' to rising cases. The projections 'can be used to plan control measures and call for urgent action in meeting the increasing healthcare demands of patients' with the illness, they added. Parkinson's is a progressive condition that affects the brain. Symptoms include involuntary shaking known as tremors, slow movement and stiff muscles, as well as psychological problems like depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. A modelling study led by academics in Beijing used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to estimate the prevalence of Parkinson's disease from 2022 to 2050 in 195 countries. The findings, published in The BMJ, suggest the number of people living with the condition would be 15.6 million in 2030, 20.4 million in 2040 and 25.2 million by 2050, a 112 per cent increase compared to 2021. The prevalence of Parkinson's was forecast to be highest in Spain, China and Andorra while Somalia, Niger and Chad are expected to have the lowest number of cases. Qatar (1,062 per cent) and Kuwait (425 per cent) were projected to have the highest increase in prevalence, while Italy (3 per cent) and Bulgaria (7 per cent) were forecast to have the lowest. The region with the highest increase across all age groups is expected to be the Middle East and North Africa (145 per cent), which was also highest for the increase in cases attributed to population (197 per cent), with the lowest being the Asia Pacific region (43 per cent). The World Health Organisation has estimated that neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's will become the second leading cause of death worldwide by 2040, surpassing cancer. Researchers said the increase could be attributed to modifications in lifestyles, environmental factors and healthcare provision resulting from industrialisation, urbanisation and socioeconomic advancement, which all lead to an ageing population. 'By 2050 Parkinson's disease will have become a greater public health challenge for patients, their families, caregivers, communities and society,' researchers said. The team said the upwards trend was more pronounced 'in men, in East Asia and in countries with middle socio-demographic index', which is a scale that measures a country's level of development based on factors such as average income, education and fertility rate. Academics suggested 'public health interventions' could help slow the 'universal rise' in cases. 'Given the inevitable population ageing, population growth and disability experienced by individuals with Parkinson's disease owing to its chronic nature, an urgent need exists for future research to focus on the development of novel drugs, gene engineering techniques and cell replacement therapies that are aimed at modifying the course of the disease and improving patients' quality of life,' they said. David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson's UK, said: 'This very welcome study reminds us that Parkinson's is growing quickly across the world. 'Until we find a cure, it's vital that people with Parkinson's, regardless of their location, socioeconomic group or race, have access to research opportunities, good quality care and support that enables them to live well with the condition.' Researchers said previous investigations have focused on the future prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the US and Europe, meaning that forecasts for other countries and continents are lacking. They said to effectively target prevention and intervention, a comprehensive forecast at global, regional and national level by socioeconomic status, age and sex was needed.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Parkinson's cases could top 25 million worldwide by 2050, study suggests
The number of people living with Parkinson's disease worldwide could more than double by 2050, a study suggests. The predicted rise is largely down to an ageing population, researchers said. A modelling study led by academics in Beijing used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to estimate the prevalence of Parkinson's disease from 2022 to 2050 in 195 countries. The findings, published in the BMJ, suggest the number of people living with the condition in 2050 will be 25.2 million, a 112% increase compared to 2021. 'By 2050 Parkinson's disease will have become a greater public health challenge for patients, their families, care givers, communities, and society,' researchers said. The team suggests the 'upward trend' is more pronounced 'in men, in East Asia and in countries with middle socio-demographic index', which is a scale that measures a country's level of development based on the likes of average income, education and fertility rate. According to their estimations, cases in the UK could climb from 230,000 by 2030, to 272,000 by 2040 and 307,000 by 2050. Researchers said population ageing 'was estimated to be the leading contributor' to rising cases, adding that their projections 'can be used to plan control measures and call for urgent actions in meeting the increasing healthcare demands of patients' with the illness. Parkinson's is a progressive condition that affects the brain. Symptoms include involuntary shaking known as tremors, slow movements and stiff muscles, as well as psychological problems like depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. Academics suggest 'public health interventions' could be promising in slowing the 'universal rise' in cases. They added: 'Given the inevitable population ageing, population growth, and disability experienced by individuals with Parkinson's disease owing to its chronic nature, an urgent need exists for future research to focus on the development of novel drugs, gene engineering techniques, and cell replacement therapies that are aimed at modifying the course of the disease and improving patients' quality of life.' David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson's UK, said: 'This very welcome study reminds us that Parkinson's is growing quickly across the world. 'Yet, in the UK today, our investment in research is failing to respond to this anticipated growth and people with Parkinson's are not getting the healthcare and services they need to live well. 'Until we find a cure, it's vital that people with Parkinson's, regardless of their location, socioeconomic group or race, have access to research opportunities, good quality care and support that enables them to live well with the condition.'
Saba Yemen
05-03-2025
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Study: 3 in 5 adults will be classified as overweight by 2050
London - Saba: A new study has indicated that the proportion of the world's population who are overweight or obese has doubled since 1990, with future projections until 2050 indicating a further increase, reaching about 60% among people over the age of 25 and more than 30% among children and young people. As part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the analysis modeled overweight and obesity rates from 1990 to 2021. The forecast until 2050 assumes that current trends will continue. 'If we act now, it is still possible to prevent a complete shift to global obesity in children and adolescents,' says Jessica Kerr, an obesity epidemiologist at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia, in the studies, which have been republished in the British medical journal The Lancet. 'This is not the time to continue with business as usual.' Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
