Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 11: India is witnessing a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among young and working-age populations, with two in three young adults already at risk, according to the latest Health of the Nation 2026 report released by Apollo Hospitals on World Health Day.
Based on over three million preventive health assessments conducted in 2025, the sixth edition of the report highlights that health risks are emerging earlier in life and often remain undetected until advanced screening is carried out.
The findings show a worrying trend, with nearly half of the working population found to have prediabetes or diabetes, while eight in ten individuals are overweight. More than half of those assessed were found to be obese and had abnormal cholesterol levels.
The report also revealed that around 70 per cent of individuals were deficient in Vitamin D, while nearly half had low Vitamin B12 levels. Additionally, almost two-thirds of people under 30 showed poor physical fitness indicators such as reduced flexibility, strength, or balance, increasing long-term cardiovascular risk.
Among those under 30, nearly one in five were already prediabetic. However, early intervention showed strong positive outcomes, with 28 per cent of young individuals reversing to normal sugar levels after lifestyle changes, compared to just seven per cent among those above 50.
Prathap C. Reddy, Founder Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, said the findings underline the need for a shift from reactive healthcare to preventive and personalised care approaches.
The report also highlights serious risks within India’s workforce, where the average age of those assessed was 38. In this group, eight in ten were overweight, nearly half had diabetes or prediabetes, and one in four had high blood pressure.
Addressing gender-specific concerns, Preetha Reddy noted that women often face undetected health risks, with breast cancer being diagnosed nearly a decade earlier in India compared to Western countries.
The report further found that many conditions remain hidden in routine tests. For example, 74 per cent of individuals with fatty liver had normal liver enzyme levels, while 45 per cent of asymptomatic individuals showed early signs of heart disease through coronary calcium scans.
Sangita Reddy said the future of healthcare lies in predictive and personalised models combining diagnostics and lifestyle data to detect diseases early and improve treatment outcomes.
Overall, the report highlights a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases in India, stressing the urgent need for preventive healthcare, early screening, and sustained medical care to improve long-term health outcomes.