Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 6

As World Health Day approaches, a different kind of health crisis is coming into focus in Jammu and Kashmir, one driven less by infectious disease and more by a steady rise in chronic illnesses.

Across the region, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and cancer are increasing at a pace that doctors and public health experts describe as alarming. 

The trend, they say, reflects a combination of lifestyle changes, environmental exposures and gaps in preventive care.

Hospitals and clinics are increasingly strained by the growing number of patients requiring long-term treatment, often for conditions that are difficult to reverse once they advance. 

Yet many of these illnesses are considered largely preventable.

“Genetics may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger,” said Dr Irfan Bhat, a cardiologist at Government Medical College in Srinagar, pointing to the role of diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use in shaping health outcomes.

Awareness of preventive care remains limited, he and others noted, even as evidence mounts that early screening and lifestyle changes could reduce risk.

Recent research has underscored the urgency of early intervention. 

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that men’s risk of heart disease begins to rise sharply in their 30s, while women face increased risk after menopause – findings that have prompted calls for earlier screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

In Jammu and Kashmir, heart disease already accounts for a significant share of deaths, with some estimates attributing nearly one in three fatalities to cardiovascular causes. 

Ischemic heart disease, in particular, has emerged as a leading concern, with doctors reporting a rise in sudden cardiac events, including among younger patients.

Diabetes, too, has become increasingly common. 

Recent data suggest that nearly one in five adults in parts of the Jammu division may be affected, with even higher rates in urban areas. 

In Kashmir, prevalence rates are somewhat lower but still substantial. 

Screening efforts over the past several years have identified hundreds of thousands of new cases, along with a growing number of people in pre-diabetic stages including adolescents.

Cancer rates have also shown a steady increase. 

Cases have risen in recent years, with certain types including stomach and colorectal cancers more frequently reported in Kashmir. 

Doctors have expressed particular concern about aggressive brain tumors observed in some orchard-growing regions, where studies have linked long-term exposure to certain pesticides with higher incidence and severity.

Public health specialists point to widespread tobacco use as another major contributor to disease. 

Survey data indicate that nearly a quarter of adults in the region consume tobacco, a factor closely associated with both cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.

Dietary patterns and physical inactivity further compound the risks. 

Traditional diets high in refined carbohydrates and low in protein, coupled with increasing consumption of processed foods among younger populations, have contributed to rising obesity and metabolic disorders. 

Sedentary lifestyles shaped in part by long winters, urbanisation and increased screen time have worsened the trend.

Despite the growing burden, screening programs for many cancers and chronic conditions remain limited in reach, often leading to late diagnoses and reduced treatment effectiveness.

Health experts say the convergence of these factors amounts to a “silent epidemic,” one that could intensify without stronger emphasis on prevention, early detection and public awareness.

“The challenge is not just treating disease,” Dr Bhat said, “but preventing it before it begins.”