This study assesses the economic burden of premature deaths and morbidity among adolescents (ages 10-19) in India and its states using data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021. The research estimates the economic loss due to adolescent disease burden, considering both communicable diseases (CDs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and injuries.
Key findings:
The total economic loss in India due to adolescent mortality and morbidity was USD 38.01 billion (1.30% of India’s GDP) in 2021.
Losses due to premature deaths amounted to USD 9.87 billion, while losses due to morbidity were USD 28.14 billion.
Economic loss as a percentage of state GDP varied significantly, with Bihar experiencing the highest burden (2.43% of GDP) and Sikkim the lowest (0.71%).
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 53.1% of the total economic loss, followed by communicable diseases (35.2%) and injuries (11.7%).
NCDs led to the greatest economic burden due to morbidity, while injuries contributed the most to premature deaths.
Diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, lower respiratory infections, and nutritional deficiencies were the leading communicable disease contributors to economic loss.
Cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms (cancers), and neurological disorders were the primary contributors among NCDs.
Self-harm, road injuries, and drowning were the top injury-related causes of economic loss.
The study underscores the need to strengthen the Indian Adolescent Health Strategy (IAHS) by targeting high-burden diseases and injuries to reduce economic losses and improve adolescent well-being.
Photo Credit: GAIN