1 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing
Q1) The emerging pandemic of lifestyle diseases has arisen out of a public policy failure that lacked foresight and imposed a one-size-fits- all approach. Evaluate.
(150 Words/10 Marks)
ANSWER:
Lifestyle diseases are medical disorders or conditions caused by a person’s
modifiable lifestyle behaviors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking
etc. It results the development of chronic diseases, specifically heart disease,
diabetes, obesity, pulmonary disease, or even some types of cancer.
Reasons for rise in lifestyle diseases:
- Lack of foresight: (a) reactive rather than proactive approach to health in
policy formulation; (b) lack of any independent research to understand the
impact, causes and scale of lifestyle diseases; (c) neglect of preventive
measures like regular checkups, affordable tests etc. (d) not identifying
worrying trends like increase in cases of fatty liver to adopt early
interventions.
- Inadequate policy frameworks: (a) Pursuit of cereal-intensive food policy
since green revolution (b) lack of regulation over packaged/processed foods
– in terms of contents, labelling and advertisements [e.g., Bournvita brand
earlier used to be sold as a “health drink” despite high sugar levels]; (c)
ineffective regulation over harmful industries such as tobacco and alcohol
making it widely available and affordable; (d) economic policies that prioritize
industrial growth over public health.
- One-size-fits-all approach: (a) failing to consider unique
cultural/economic/social contexts of different populations, leading to
ineffective interventions [e.g., same strategies for rural and urban areas]; (b)
neglect of vulnerable sections of populations like children, women,
- Socio-economic factors: (a) widespread adoption of many unhealthy
western dietary practices; fast foods etc.; (b) increasing household incomes
being diverted to higher consumption of alcohol/cigarettes etc.; (c) increase
in sedentary lifestyle due to trends like work-from-home; (d) lack of
awareness towards a healthy diet, active routines among common people;
- Inadequate government support: lack of infrastructure for promoting a
healthy lifestyle e.g., public parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums and
recreational facilities;
However, the government has diverted its attention to tackle lifestyle
diseases in recent times:
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes,
Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS): focuses on strengthening infrastructure, developing human resources, awareness
generation, early diagnosis, + healthcare facility;
- 75/25 initiative: screening and providing standard care for 75 million
individuals with hypertension and diabetes by 2025.
- Population-based initiative under National Health Mission (NHM):
individuals >30 years are targeted for screening for common lifestyle
diseases.
- Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre: focuses on preventive aspects
by promoting wellness activities.
- Other measures: (a) promoting healthy eating through FSSAI; (b) promoting
active lifestyle through Fit India movement and Yoga; (c) National Tobacco
Control Programme + large graphic warnings on tobacco packets; (d)
reducing air pollution – National Clear Air Programme, etc.
For more such UPSC related Mains Answer Writing, Check Out 31 December 2024 : Daily Answer Writing
