Apollo Hospitals’ ‘Health of the Nation 2022’ report highlights impact of lifestyle choices on Health & Well-being

~ The report gives critical insights on non-communicable disease trends across the country
~ Report highlights the critical role of AI & data analytics in prediction, early identification and management of NCDs ~

National, April 6, 2022: On the occasion of World Health Day, Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s
largest and most trusted healthcare group, unveiled the Health of the Nation 2022 report
highlighting the prevalence and distribution of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the
country. Based on 16 million anonymized responses to the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Scanner by
Apollo 24/7, the report gives critical insights on trends in NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and
heart disease, COPD & asthma, obesity in different regions of the country. The report also
underscores the potential of AI and data analytics in prediction of risk and early identification as well
as management of NCDs.

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The last year saw the
country steadily building a bulwark against COVID with a robust vaccination program that led to a
steady fall in the number of COVID cases. As we emerge from the shadow of COVID, it is
imperative to bring the focus back on the pandemic of NCDs, a focus that faced a disruption
impacting diagnosis and treatment for millions of patients. Approach health as an investment and not
as an expenditure. It is the only way we will succeed against the multiple challenges we face today
with the pandemic, a polluted planet, and an increasing incidence of diseases that form the theme for
World Health Day 2022 – Our Planet, Our Health.

“For a developing country like India, NCDs are a critical matter that need to be addressed. In India,
NCDs kill 6 million people every year of which around 23% are between 30-70 years of age. 1 An
analysis of the data from 3.8 Lakh responses to the COVID Scanner shows the criticality of
addressing the NCD challenge using all the tools at our disposal. The data indicates a national
prevalence for diabetes mellitus of around 7%, over 8% for hypertension, and around 2% for COPD
& asthma. Considering our population of 1.2 bn., these are huge numbers that will increase the
burden of disease and impact productivity and economic growth. We must address the NCD
challenge through promotion of healthy lifestyles, early diagnosis and management.”

Key findings of the Health of the Nation 2022 report for Diabetes Mellitus show an increased
prevalence in the southern and eastern parts of the country with an average national prevalence of
6.96%. Urban areas showed a higher prevalence at 7.01% as compared to rural areas with 6.70%.
The study also showed obesity in women over 35 years of age leading to poor diabetes control and
increasing risk of heart disease and other complications. Data also indicated poor diabetes control in
women with high cholesterol with a 0.5 increase in HbA1c diabetes marker levels.

In Hypertension, the study showed a national prevalence of high blood pressure at over 8.18% with a
higher incidence in North and East India. Data also indicated that adult males between the ages of 36
to 50 years have a 36% higher chance of developing hypertension than adult females in the same age
range. Urban areas at 8.6% showed a higher incidence as compared to rural areas with 7.58%.
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and asthma showed an incidence similar to global
numbers at 2%. Here, females between 36 to 50 years of age showed a 1.3 times higher chance of
developing COPD as compared to males.

NCDs pose devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities with
socioeconomic costs that can derail India’s achieving the target of reducing premature mortality
from NCDs by one-third by 2030 in line with the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable
Development. It is imperative, that only by adopting Artificial Intelligence and Big data analytics to
predict risk and personalize care, we can help give an advantage to healthcare providers!

Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The theme of
World Health Day this year is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’, which is a powerful reminder to put the
health of individual and the planet at the center of our actions to create societies focused on well-
being. Our annual Health of the Nation study collating a vast amount of real-world data on the
prevalence, incidence and risks of disease has led to insights that will help us allocate resources in an
optimal manner and develop the right strategy to tackle the NCD pandemic.”

The Health of the Nation study also looked at corporate employee data of about thirty-five
thousand, where the average prevalence of at least 1 NCD in employees is about 56%. The NCD
risk factors of high cholesterol is prevalent in 48% of employees and obesity in 18% of employees.
There is variability across sectors, indicating that more sedentary corporate settings should consider
ways to help their employees proactively reduce these risks.

Dr Sangita Reddy added, “NCDs are fuelled by many factors that include urban lifestyles with
stress and unhealthy diets and an aging population. Study results, derived from 35,000 health checks
done with corporates in 2021, has also shown a high prevalence of NCDs among corporate
employees. These insights will help us use technology to gain an upper hand in ensuring a healthy
workforce. Combined with our pioneering experience of 38 years, we have at our disposal new
technologies based on AI and ML for predicting risk scores and developing structured lifestyle
programs with new models of care that lead to improved clinical outcomes.”

The AICVD risk score predicted a moderate or high risk of a cardiac event within 10 years in half of
the 31-50 year olds. Other screening programs, especially for cancer, help with early detection and
treatment for improved survival rates.

Dr Sathya Sriram, CEO Preventive Health, highlights the silver lining, “On the positive side, the
report also showed that structured programs help individuals who are at risk to implement and
sustain lifestyle changes that reduce risk and slow the progression of the condition.” Enrollment in
Apollo Clinics’ Sugar Program showed a mean HbA1c reduction by 1.2% between the first and
fourth visits. Data from Apollo ProHealth, a proactive personalized health management program
backed by advanced diagnostics, artificial intelligence and predictive algorithms, showed a mean
HbA1c reduction for diabetics by 0.73% over 6-12 months, as well as an average weight loss of 3.9kg
for 60% of those who engaged actively with the program.

About Apollo Hospitals:

It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap C Reddy made a pioneering endeavor by launching India’s first
corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated
healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 72 Hospitals, 4500+ Pharmacies,
over 120 Primary Care clinics and 700+ Diagnostic centers, 500 plus Telemedicine Centers, over 15
medical education centers and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials,
epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of
new medical advancements with the most recent investment being the commissioning of South East
Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.

Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare
of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honor, the Government of
India had issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a

healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the
prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For 37 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously
excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-
edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for
advanced medical services.

For further details, log onto: www.apollohospitals.com
Follow us on Twitter: @HospitalsApollo