(a) whether India records the highest number of deaths due to various diseases;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) whether as per a study of the World Health Organisation (WHO), poverty is a major cause of diseases;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether WHO has given any suggestions to check deaths caused by poverty; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): According to “Report on Causes of Death in India, 2001-2003†published by the
Registrar General of India, non-Communicable diseases are the leading causes of deaths in the
country constituting 42% of all deaths. Communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional
conditions constitute another 38% of deaths. Injuries and ill-defined causes constitute 10%
of deaths each.
Top 10 causes of deaths in India in all ages is given in table below:
Cause of Death Percentage of all Deaths
Cardiovascular diseases 18.8
COPD, asthma, other respiratory diseases 8.7
Diarrhoeal diseases 8.1
Perinatal conditions 6.3
Respiratory infections 6.2
Tuberculosis 6.0
Malignant and other neoplasms 5.7
Senility 5.1
Unintentional injuries: other 4.9
Symptoms signs and ill-defined conditions 4.8