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New Delhi, April 6, 2025: India is experiencing a significant shift in health priorities, with awareness surrounding lifestyle diseases soaring by 84% year-on-year, according to new research released by Practo, the country’s leading digital health platform. The findings, detailed in Practo’s annual health insights report based on data from over 30 million users, indicate a growing trend of proactive health management, particularly among younger adults utilising digital tools.
The report, released ahead of World Health Day, reveals that Indians consulted doctors for lifestyle diseases an average of 4.1 times in 2024, a noticeable increase from 3.4 times in 2023. This surge in engagement reflects a heightened consciousness about chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart issues, and weight management.
Key Findings Highlight Changing Health Behaviours:
- Dramatic Rise in Awareness: The most striking statistic is the 84% year-on-year growth in searches related to lifestyle diseases on the platform.
- Youth Leading the Charge: Nearly half (48%) of these health searches were conducted by individuals in the 25-34 age group, signalling a strong proactive health stance among younger Indians.
- Tier 2 Cities Show Strongest Growth: While Tier 1 cities accounted for 64% of total searches, Tier 2 cities demonstrated the highest growth rate at 20% year-on-year, indicating widening awareness beyond major metropolitan areas.
- Gender Disparity: Men drove the majority of searches, contributing to 87% of the total volume for lifestyle disease queries.
- Hypertension Concerns Peak: Hypertension saw the most significant growth in searches at 21% YoY. Consultation frequency for hypertension also rose to 5.1 times per year, up from 4.9 in 2023. Notably, search growth was highest among men aged 65+ (160%) and women aged 45-54 (307%).
- Diabetes & Cardiology Focus: Diabetes-related searches climbed 13.66%, with consultation frequency increasing to 3.9 times per year. Cardiology searches rose 16%, and average consultations increased significantly to 2.5 per year from 1.6 the previous year. Young adults (18-34) showed particularly high growth in cardiology-related searches.
- Weight Management Trends: Searches for weight management grew by 6%, with female search growth (12%) outpacing male growth (4%). The 18-24 age group saw the most substantial increase in searches for this category.
Expert Insight:
Dr. Vishal Jani, Head of Medical Research at Practo, commented on the findings: “We are witnessing a clear shift in how people, especially younger adults, are proactively engaging with their health. The increased adoption of digital tools for early detection, ongoing management, and access to verified medical advice reflects a growing shift. Patients today are more empowered to make informed decisions – a move that’s contributing to better health outcomes and not just about treatment, it’s about long-term health ownership.”
The report underscores a significant move towards preventative and proactive healthcare management in India, facilitated by digital platforms and driven by a population increasingly aware of the risks associated with lifestyle diseases.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided in a press release and research findings from Practo, comparing data from 2023 and 2024. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers should consult with qualified healthcare professionals for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to their health or treatment.( https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/indias-health-focus-shifts-84-annual-surge-in-awareness-of-lifestyle-diseases-research-shows-1203918/)
