How diabetes rates have changed in India since 2015, new health survey reveals

Key points

• The sixth round of the Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) has revealed that diabetes is witnessing a sharp rise.
• The survey, released by the Health Ministry on May 29, gives snapshot of the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, with obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure increasing among both men and women across the country.
• Conducted in 2023-24 across nearly 6.79 lakh households in 715 districts, NFHS-6 provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of India's health.
• The survey found that diabetes, measured as high blood sugar levels or the use of medicines to control blood sugar, has increased significantly over the past five years.
• Among women, the prevalence rose from 13.5% in NFHS-5 (2019-2021) to 17.8% in NFHS-6. Among men, it increased from 15.6% to 20.9%, meaning that more than one in five Indian men now has diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels.