Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding rising deaths among youth due to heart attacks. A study was conducted by ICMR-NIE on factors associated with sudden deaths in adults aged 18-45. The government supports prevention and control of non-communicable diseases through the National Health Mission (NHM) and promotes awareness through various initiatives.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **ICMR-NIE Study Findings:**
* A multicentric study was conducted across 47 hospitals in 19 States and Union Territories from May-August 2023.
* The study focused on individuals aged 18-45 who died of unexplained causes between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.
* COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death.
* Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death, and certain lifestyle behaviors increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death.
* **National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD):**
* NHM provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories.
* Cardiovascular diseases are an integral part of NPNCD.
* 770 District NCD Clinics, 6410 Community Health Center NCD Clinics, and 233 Cardiac Care Units have been established.
* **Population-Based Screening Initiative:**
* A nationwide initiative under NHM targets individuals over 30 for screening of common NCDs like diabetes and hypertension.
* Preventive aspects of NCDs are strengthened through Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
* **Awareness and Health Promotion:**
* National and International Health Days are observed.
* Print, electronic, and social media are used for community awareness.
* NPNCD provides financial support for awareness generation activities.
* **Eat Right India Campaign (FSSAI):**
* Promotes awareness on preventive healthcare through social and behavioral change.
* Promotes healthy food practices and safe, balanced diets in schools.
* Collaborates with UGC to spread awareness in higher education.
* **Fit India Movement:**
* Implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
* Yoga activities are carried out by the Ministry of AYUSH.
Impact Analysis:
* **General Public (especially youth aged 18-45 and individuals over 30):**
* *Impact:* Increased awareness of risk factors associated with sudden deaths and NCDs. Access to screening programs and health facilities. Promotion of healthy lifestyles through various campaigns.
* *Action Required:* Participate in screening programs, adopt healthier lifestyles, and stay informed about preventive healthcare measures.
* **States and Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Receive technical and financial support from NHM for NPNCD implementation and awareness activities.
* *Action Required:* Utilize provided support to strengthen NCD prevention and control programs, conduct awareness campaigns, and improve healthcare infrastructure.
* **Educational Institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities):**
* *Impact:* Integration of health and nutrition education into curricula. Increased awareness among students about healthy lifestyles.
* *Action Required:* Implement healthy food practices, promote balanced diets, and integrate food safety guidebooks into school curricula. Collaborate with FSSAI and UGC for awareness initiatives.
* **Healthcare Providers (District NCD Clinics, Community Health Centers, Cardiac Care Units):**
* *Impact:* Increased responsibility in screening, managing, and treating individuals with NCDs.
* *Action Required:* Provide comprehensive care, conduct screenings, and promote preventive measures.
Key Entities Referenced
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: A program (NPNCD) under the National Health Mission (NHM) that addresses non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, by establishing clinics and promoting screening initiatives.
Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute of Epidemiology: ICMR-NIE conducted a study on factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The government ministry responsible for health policy and family welfare programs.
COVID-19: A disease that was investigated for its role in increased sudden deaths among young adults in India.
National Health Mission: A government initiative providing technical and financial support to states and union territories for healthcare programs, including NPNCD.
Eat Right India: A nationwide campaign by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to promote awareness on preventive healthcare through social and behavioral change, focusing on healthy food practices and safe diets.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: FSSAI promotes awareness on preventive healthcare through social and behavioural change.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The ministry implementing the Fit India movement.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1123
TO BE ANSWERED ON25TH JULY,2025
RISING CASES OFDEATHS AMONG YOUTH DUE TOHEARTATTACKS
1123. SHRIDHARAMBIRSINGH:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the rising incidents of sudden deaths among youth due to
heart attacksandothernon-communicablediseases andif so,the detailsthereof;
(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to investigate the root causes behind
such health issues, especiallyamongpeople inthe age group of 18to40;
(c) whether the Government has initiated any nationwide health screening or early detection
campaigns inthe countryandif so, the detailsthereof;
(d) whether the Government is conducting the awareness programmes on lifestyle, nutrition and
stress management inschools, collegesandworkplacesandif so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes any long-term policy to prevent lifestyle related diseases
among youth through preventive healthcare and fitness awareness programme in the country and if
so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (e): Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE)
hasconducteda study titled “Factorsassociated with unexplainedsudden deathsamongadults aged
18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study” at 47 tertiary care hospitals
located across 19 States and Union Territories during May- August 2023. Cases were apparently
healthy individuals aged 18-45 years without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly died of
unexplainedcauses during 1st October 2021-31st March 2023. Informationwas collectedregarding
data on COVID-19 vaccination/infection, post-COVID-19 conditions, family history of sudden
death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency, binge drinking and vigorous-intensity
physical activitytwo daysbefore deathamongthe cases.
The study observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden
death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death
and certainlifestyle behaviorsincreasedthe likelihood of unexplainedsudden death.
National Health Mission (NHM) provides technical and financial support to the States and Union
Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable
Diseases (NP-NCD). Cardiovascular diseases are an integral part of NP-NCD. Under this
programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 6410 Community Health Center NCD Clinics and 233
Cardiac Care Units hasbeenset up.
A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including
diabetes, hypertension hasbeen rolled out in the country under National Health Mission (NHM) asa part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of
age are targetedfor theirscreening.
Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through
Ayushman Arogya Mandir, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the
community level. Furtherinitiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs andfor promotion
of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National & International Health Days and use of print,
electronic and social media for continued community awareness.NP-NCD provides financial
support underNHM for awareness generationactivities for NCDs including cardiovasculardiseases
to be undertakenbythe StatesandUnion Territories.
The nation-wide ‘Eat Right India’ campaign of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) promotes awareness on preventive healthcare through social and behavioural change. Key
initiatives include promoting healthy food practices, ensuring safe and balanced diets in schools,
and developing a food safety guidebook for integration into school curricula. FSSAI has also
collaborated with the University Grants Commission (UGC) to spread awareness in higher
educational institutions. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports, andvariousYogarelatedactivities arecarriedout byMinistry of AYUSH.
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