Health risks due to alcohol, bad diet high in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: While Gujarat has boasted of its robust economic growth rate between 1990 and 2016, the pressures of growth have turned it into one of the sickest states in the country when it comes to occupational, behavioural and metabolic risks, according to the latest Lancet study ‘Nationals within a Nation: Variations in Epidemiological Transition across the states of India, 1990-2016’.

Some startling findings brought out by the study are that Gujarat has a higher health risk factor due to alcohol and drug abuse, with 1,364 individuals for every lakh people are addicted.

This number is higher than Bihar (1,211), Uttar Pradesh (1,303), Rajasthan (1186) and Goa (1,306). States like Haryana had the most addicts, with 1,658 individuals addicted to alcohol and drugs, Assam (1,555), Odisha (1,472) Manipur (1,469) and Karnataka (1,463). The burden of disease according to the study can put people back into poverty if the state fails to act fast and move towards more universal coverage of healthcare.

On other aspects, Gujarat’s health status is not impressive. For instance, in terms of opting for dietary risks –when one opts for high carbohydrate and oily foods—3,544 individuals among a lakh population are hooked to riskier foods. This figure is higher than Delhi, Karnataka and Kerala.

On diseases caused by unsafe water and sanitation practices, Gujarat figures are higher than the national average, with 879 per lakh people suffering because of poor sanitation. High blood pressure afflicts 3,090 individuals for every lakh persons in Gujarat.

Another worrying aspect is the low bone mineral density, where the prevalence of the condition has been calculated to be 217 individuals for every lakh. Some 930 individuals per lakh persons in Gujarat have impaired kidney function.

“Gujarat is witnessing a transition as non-communicable diseases as causing a greater burden than communicable diseases. The health policies of the state should also change. We had already submitted a report,” says a senior health department official.