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Maharashtra's Silent Epidemic: Millions Battle Chronic Lung Ailments
6 Feb
Summary
- Over 67 lakh people in Maharashtra had chronic respiratory diseases in 2023.
- Air pollution and smoking are major drivers of these lung conditions.
- Maharashtra faces 11% of India's COPD and 8.3% of its asthma burden.
As of 2023, Maharashtra reported a significant health challenge with around 67 lakh individuals living with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). This figure contributes substantially to India's overall CRD burden. Key risk factors driving these conditions, particularly COPD and asthma, have been identified as air pollution and tobacco exposure.
Nationally, India grapples with an enormous CRD burden, with approximately 6.89 crore people affected in 2023. Maharashtra reflects this national trend, carrying significant portions of the country's COPD and asthma cases. The disability burden is also considerable, with millions of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually due to these diseases in the state.
The PURE Foundation's analysis highlights that ambient air pollution, smoking, and household air pollution are primary culprits for COPD. The commentary in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine further notes that Asia, particularly South Asia, is the epicenter of the global COPD burden, where it's not solely a smoker's disease.
Despite medical advancements, the prevalence of CRDs in India has risen since 1990. High-burden states like Maharashtra continue to face challenges in early diagnosis, air quality control, and accessible respiratory care, underscoring the need for intensified public health interventions.
