Chandigarh, August 9: Punjab records the highest rate of hypertension in the country at 40 per cent, far surpassing the national average of 35.5 per cent. Health Minister Balbir Singh affirmed these figures during the monsoon session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha while responding to a inquiry raised by Khadoor Sahib MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura. The minister declared that a comprehensive survey report by ICMR-INDIAB places the state at the top of the nation for high blood pressure prevalence, with Kerala trailing behind.
The official statement also maintained that diabetes presents a growing health concern across the region. With 14.3 per cent of its population affected, Punjab ranks fourth in diabetes prevalence nationwide, behind Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The data further indicated a rise in overall obesity among women, which increased from 24 per cent to 30.7 per cent.
Health officials attributed the surge in these non-communicable conditions to shifts in daily routines, including reduced physical labor, automated lifestyles, and altered dietary patterns involving elevated salt and refined food consumption. Increasing mental stress across age groups was also noted as a contributing factor to the rise in hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications.
Alternative survey data from the National Family Health Survey presents a contrasting trend, indicating a decline in hypertension rates within the state. According to NFHS findings, prevalence dropped from 31.2 per cent to 24.5 per cent among women and from 37.7 per cent to 26.3 per cent among men.
In terms of other health indicators, the state maintains favorable positions across several metrics. Data showed Punjab holding the lowest tobacco usage rate in India at a minimal 0.1 per cent. Furthermore, cancer prevalence stands between 75 and 90 cases per 100,000 people, remaining below the national average of 100 to 110 cases. The state also ranks 21st among all states and Union Territories regarding population size and alcohol consumption.
