Risisng work-related health problems to cost India over Rs200 billion by 2015: WHO - WEF report

22 May 2008

New Delhi: Demanding work pressures coupled with unhealthy lifestyle will take a toll on the Indian working professionals according to  the World Health Organization/World Economic Forum report on workplace wellness.

The report indicates that India would suffer a revenue loss of of $237 billion between 2005 and 2015 due to the rising impact of heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory problems. Globally chronic diseases accounts for more than 60 per cent of all deaths globally and is projected to account for 47 million deaths annually in the next 25 years.

The WHO study emphasises on cognitive theory and the health belief model, which suggests changing unhealthy behaviour and addressed physical activity, blood pressure, intake of fruits and vegetables, diabetes, BMI and heart-healthy life.

According to WHO, the global burden of disease is already shifting from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (See:Lifestyle diseases killing more than communicable illness: WHO). In India, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, stroke and chronic lung diseases have already become major public health problems.

The alarming result indicated that almost 47 per cent of the workforce in India, especially in urban areas, were found to be overweight while around 27 per cent were suffering from hypertension. Around 10 per cent of those surveyed were also found to be diabetic.

The survey looked at the health of over 35,000 employees and their family members in 10 different industries, and 20,000 randomly selected individuals, found workers at greater risk of developing chronic diseases like heart attack, stroke and cancer.