Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 14: The Centre is considering a series of incentives, including subsidised gym memberships, employer-led wellness programmes and expanded health screening, as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the rising burden of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity in India.
The NITI Aayog has been tasked with preparing a roadmap to address lifestyle diseases, officials told The Economic Times. The proposed blueprint is expected to draw on global best practices and recommend policy interventions to encourage regular health screening for everyone above the age of 30, while promoting long-term behavioural changes to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
"The Aayog will hold stakeholder consultations on the proposed plan, with emphasis on early screening and consistent behavioural changes," an official said.
The move comes amid growing concern over the sharp rise in lifestyle-related illnesses. According to recent government data, nearly half of India's population reported non-communicable diseases and metabolic disorders in 2025, compared with 31 per cent a decade earlier. Cases of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and obesity have shown a significant increase.
The National Statistical Office's (NSO) Household Social Consumption: Health Survey (January-December 2025) found that cardiovascular and endocrine or metabolic disorders begin rising sharply from the age of 30, with hypertension and diabetes accounting for the largest share of cases.
As part of the exercise, NITI Aayog is expected to study international models such as Sweden's tax incentives for health and fitness programmes, Japan's metabolic health screening initiative, the Netherlands' integration of cycling into everyday transport through dedicated bicycle lanes, and Chile's use of front-of-package warning labels and school food regulations to combat obesity.
Officials said that while India already has several preventive measures in place, including community-level screening for hypertension, diabetes and oral, breast and cervical cancers, as well as dietary guidelines discouraging excessive consumption of cereals, processed foods and sugary products, the focus now will be on improving implementation and encouraging greater public participation through incentives.
The government is also working on upgrading primary health centres into wellness hubs capable of delivering preventive healthcare services and facilitating early diagnosis, with the aim of curbing the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases.