Srinagar, July 4 -- In today's fast-paced world, we are witnessing a shift in the burden of disease from infections to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, cancer, and mental illnesses. What's alarming is that these once-called "lifestyle diseases" are now affecting not just the elderly, but children, teenagers, and young adults as well.

According to the World Health Organization, NCDs account for nearly 74% of all global deaths. In India alone, over 60% of all deaths are linked to NCDs. Yet, they remain under-discussed and dangerously normalized in our everyday lives.

What Is Driving This Surge?

Several interconnected factors are to blame:

The Bigger Picture: Youth at Risk

Younger ...