Exploring the Causes of Premature Deaths in India
A recent study published by the Lancet Global Health reports a significant variation in the causes of premature deaths across different states in India. The alarming statistics reveal that almost 9.7 million people faced premature deaths in 2017, with the causes and impact of these deaths largely dependent on the geographical locations within the country.
Detailed Analysis of Premature Deaths
Premature death is defined as a demise that occurs before reaching the average life expectancy of a specific population. The study shows that the Years of Life Lost (YLL), a measure of premature mortality, varies distinctly between different states in India.
Furthermore, the report introduces the measures of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) ā an important health metric that combines premature death and disability due to illness or injury. In 2017, India recorded 486 million DALYs; a high proportion of these were reported in rural areas, reflecting a trend of at least twice the rate compared to urban regions.
The Vital Role of YLL and DALY
The YLL measures the years of potential life lost due to premature deaths, thus providing insight into the overall mortality rates. Likewise, DALYs are utilized to understand the overall burden of disease by estimating both the loss of healthy life years due to ill-health and premature death. Simply speaking, DALY can be calculated by adding YLL to Years Lost due to Disability (YLD).
A Look at the State-Wise Data
The report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the major causes of premature deaths in India:
| Cause | States Affected | % of National YLLs |
|---|---|---|
| Liver and Alcohol-related Issues | Northeastern states, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra | 18% |
| Suicides | Southern states | 15% |
| Cancer | Northeastern states, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Haryana, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh | 44% |
| Road Traffic Injuries | Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh | 33% |
Gender and Regional Disparities in Premature Deaths
According to the data, more than three-quarters of premature deaths and DALYs occurred in rural areas. Furthermore, males accounted for 54.3% of all DALYs, highlighting a significant gender-based discrepancy.
The study confirms that health issues and preventable causes like liver and alcohol-related problems, suicides, cancer, and road traffic injuries are leading contributors to premature deaths in India. However, they are unevenly distributed among states, suggesting that location-specific preventive measures may be necessary.
