Why in the News?
In 2022, liver disease rose to become the eighth leading cause of death in India, marking a serious public health issue that had not occurred in the previous five years.
What do sex- and age-wise trends reveal about liver disease deaths in India?
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Why are liver disease deaths significantly higher among men than women?
- Higher Alcohol Consumption: A major reason is the wide gender gap in alcohol use—around 19% of men consume alcohol compared to just 1% of women. This significantly increases the risk of liver disease among men. In 2022, 75% of male deaths due to digestive diseases were liver-related, compared to 57.5% in women.
- Middle-Age Vulnerability: Most male deaths from liver disease occur in the 35–54 age group, indicating that lifestyle-related liver damage starts early. In contrast, among women, liver disease deaths are more common in the 65+ age group, often linked to age-related complications rather than lifestyle.
- Biological and Behavioural Differences: Men may be more prone to risk-prone behaviours, including excessive alcohol and meat consumption, both of which are linked to liver damage. Data also shows men consistently have 3 to 3.5 times higher death rates from digestive diseases than women over the last decade.
How do regional differences affect liver and digestive disease mortality?
- Higher Burden in North-Eastern States: Five North-Eastern states recorded over 10% of certified deaths due to digestive diseases in 2022, with Sikkim leading at nearly 20%. This indicates a regional concentration of liver and digestive health issues.
- Lifestyle Factors in the Region: The North-East has the highest combined prevalence of alcohol and meat consumption in India. This overlap may be a key factor contributing to the elevated liver disease burden in the region.
- State-Wise Variation Highlights Public Health Gaps: No other state outside the North-East showed a double-digit share of digestive disease deaths, pointing to geographic health disparities.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
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What measures can strengthen research on lifestyle-related liver diseases? (Way forward)
- Enhance Data Collection and Surveillance: Develop region-specific health databases that track alcohol and meat consumption, age, and liver disease trends. States like Sikkim and others in the North-East could benefit from focused public health monitoring to identify at-risk populations.
- Promote Longitudinal and Causal Research: Support long-term studies that move beyond correlation to establish causal links between lifestyle choices and liver disease.
- Encourage Community-Based Health Studies: Launch grassroots-level research programs involving local communities to understand dietary habits, alcohol use, and health-seeking behaviour.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system, the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.
Linkage: The increasing deaths due to liver diseases in India, which accounted for a substantial share of digestive system diseases and became the eighth leading cause of death in 2022, highlight a significant public health challenge. This question directly addresses the role of the public healthcare system in containing adverse health impacts and enhancing its reach at the grassroots level.
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