Article 3: Joy and pain
Why in news: The release of NFHS-6 (2023–24) data highlighted significant improvements in child health and fertility indicators while raising concerns about rising obesity, lifestyle diseases, and declining breastfeeding rates.
Key Details
- Stunting declined by 17% and severe wasting by 32%.
- Institutional deliveries exceeded 90% and immunisation crossed 87%.
- TFR stabilised at 2.0, below replacement level.
- Obesity increased sharply among both men and women.
- Exclusive breastfeeding rates declined, raising nutrition concerns.
Major Improvements in Child Health
- Child stunting declined by 17%, indicating better nutrition and growth outcomes.
- Severe wasting fell by 32%, reflecting progress in tackling acute malnutrition.
- Institutional deliveries crossed 90%, improving maternal and newborn healthcare.
- Full immunisation coverage for children aged 12–23 months increased to over 87%.
- These achievements highlight the success of long-term public health interventions and service delivery efforts.
Population Stabilisation and Demographic Progress
- India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stabilised at 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1.
- The decline indicates a gradual transition towards a stable population structure.
- Decades of investments in reproductive and maternal health are yielding results.
- Improved access to healthcare and family planning has contributed significantly.
- Sustaining these gains requires continued focus on quality public health services.
Emerging Dual Burden of Malnutrition
- NFHS-6 reveals a growing dual public health burden of malnutrition and obesity.
- Obesity among men increased from 22.9% to 27.3% within three years.
- Obesity among women rose from 24% to 30.7% during the same period.
- Lifestyle-related diseases are increasing alongside persistent undernutrition.
- This trend poses a major challenge for India's future healthcare system.
Concerns Over Infant Nutrition
- Exclusive breastfeeding among infants below six months declined from 63.7% to 55.8%.
- Breastfeeding is critical for preventing infant malnutrition and infections.
- The decline raises concerns about child nutrition outcomes.
- Awareness and support programmes for mothers need strengthening.
- Protecting infant feeding practices remains a key public health priority.
Strengthening Response to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- NFHS data highlight inadequate attention to lifestyle diseases and metabolic disorders.
- India’s ageing population may intensify the burden of NCDs in the future.
- Comprehensive screening programmes for NCDs should be expanded nationwide.
- Behaviour-change campaigns promoting healthy diets and physical activity are essential.
- Stronger health systems and higher taxes on sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods can help reduce disease burden.
Conclusion
NFHS-6 reflects India’s remarkable progress in improving child health, maternal care, and population stabilisation. However, rising obesity, lifestyle diseases, and declining breastfeeding indicate emerging public health challenges. Policymakers must preserve existing gains while strengthening preventive healthcare, nutrition programmes, and NCD management. A balanced approach will be crucial to ensuring healthier outcomes as India undergoes demographic and epidemiological transitions.
Descriptive question:
NFHS-6 highlights both achievements and emerging challenges in India’s public health landscape. Discuss the significance of the survey findings and suggest measures to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. (10 marks, 150 words)