The life expectancy of Indians has increased from 42.27 years in 1960 to 69.66 years in 2019, with women outliving men. But, it must be noted that around 17.4 and 3.5 per 100 women aged 15-49 years suffer from at least one morbidity and multi-morbidity, respectively, with the most common morbidities being hypertension, diabetes and thyroid disorders.

Home diagnostics has become a good option and encouraged women across India to take the preventive health screenings and tests, necessary for the prevention of several chronic ailments, reported Healthians.

A report from the Gurugram-based health tech startup stated that there was a rise of 234 per cent between the start and the end of the second pandemic wave in preventive health checkups among women. The trend was maintained at 202 per cent growth between January 2021 and 2022.

Several factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, rise in obesity and stress levels and nuclear families, have increased the risks of chronic ailments like diabetes and thyroid problems in women. This is in line with a 244 per cent increase in diabetes tests and a 213 per cent increase in thyroid profile conducted between January 2021 and 2022. A rise of 189 per cent was observed in tests for vitamin B12 and vitamin D profiles.

Deepak Sahni, CEO & Founder, Healthians, said that the pandemic has taught us the importance of health and wellness in our lives and to take preventive measures as lifestyle disorders could account for around 74% of total deaths by 2030. (ET HealthWorld, March 16, 2022)