Recent health data shows a sharp rise in liver disease-related deaths in India, with significant differences across gender, age, and states — particularly high in the north-east and among middle-aged men.
Rising Liver Disease-Linked Deaths
- Liver diseases now make up a large portion of digestive system-related deaths.
- Digestive diseases were the 8th leading cause of death in 2022, upa from lower ranks in previous years.
Gender-Based Differences
- Male deaths due to digestive diseases are over 3 times higher than female deaths.
- In 2022, 75% of digestive disease deaths in men were liver-related, compared to 57.5% in women.
- This suggests lifestyle factors like alcohol use may be playing a larger role in male deaths.
Age Trends
- Women: Deaths due to digestive diseases increase significantly after age 65.
- Men: Most deaths occurred in the 35-54 age group, suggesting middle-aged males are more vulnerable.
Regional Patterns
- Sikkim had the highest proportion of digestive disease deaths (nearly 20% of certified deaths).
- Five north-eastern states recorded over 10% deaths from digestive issues — a much higher rate than the rest of India.
Lifestyle and Risk Factors
- Alcohol Use:
- 19% of men drink alcohol, versus only 1% of women.
- High alcohol use among men may explain middle-age liver disease deaths.
- Meat Consumption:
- Meat-heavy diets also raise liver disease risks.
- North-eastern states show high overlap of alcohol and meat consumption.
Conclusion:
The rise in liver-related deaths, especially among men and in the north-east, signals a need for focused research into lifestyle-linked health risks. Better data and preventive health policies are needed to address these growing challenges.
