Tamil Nadu Faces Growing Health Risks as Obesity and Diabetes Rates Increase

Summary:
Tamil Nadu continues to lead in maternal and child healthcare, with institutional deliveries reaching 99.7 per cent, significantly above the national average and contributing to lower maternal and infant mortality rates. However, the latest NFHS-6 survey highlights growing concerns over lifestyle-related diseases, with rising levels of obesity, diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pregnancy-induced hypertension across the state. The report also notes a decline in key prenatal care indicators, including first-trimester registrations and antenatal check-ups. While Tamil Nadu has achieved strong healthcare access and outcomes, experts stress the need to strengthen preventive healthcare and maternal care services to address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and safeguard long-term public health. 

Tamil Nadu has further strengthened its reputation for excellence in maternal and child healthcare, with institutional deliveries reaching almost universal levels, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6, 2023-24). However, the survey also points to a rising public health concern as obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases become increasingly prevalent across the state.

Institutional deliveries in Tamil Nadu stood at 99.7 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 90.6 per cent, with little variation between rural and urban areas. This achievement reflects the effectiveness of the state’s healthcare system and its contribution to lower maternal and infant mortality rates.

At the same time, lifestyle-related health issues are becoming more widespread. The proportion of women aged 15-49 classified as overweight or obese increased to 44.2 per cent from 40.5 per cent in the previous survey and remains well above the national average of 30.7 per cent. Urban areas recorded particularly high levels, with nearly half of women falling into this category. Among men, 38.8 per cent were overweight or obese, compared with the national figure of 27.3 per cent.

The survey also found a higher incidence of elevated blood sugar levels in the state, affecting 25.2 per cent of women and 26.7 per cent of men, both exceeding national averages. Health experts have cautioned that this trend could lead to increased healthcare expenditure, higher hospitalisation rates, and greater premature mortality in the future.

Former WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has emphasised the importance of strengthening primary healthcare systems with a focus on prevention, early detection, and timely treatment rather than depending primarily on advanced tertiary care services.

The report further highlighted concerns related to maternal health. Cases of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension have increased, while caesarean section deliveries accounted for 46.9 per cent of births, substantially higher than the national average of 27.2 per cent. Although surgical interventions have contributed to reducing mortality, certain prenatal care indicators have declined. First-trimester pregnancy registrations dropped from 77.4 per cent to 71.2 per cent, while the proportion of women receiving at least four antenatal check-ups decreased from 90.6 per cent to 87.6 per cent.

Overall, the findings indicate that while Tamil Nadu has achieved remarkable progress in healthcare access, its next major challenge will be addressing the growing burden of lifestyle diseases and strengthening comprehensive prenatal care to protect long-term maternal and child health outcomes.