Tripura has reported a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension than the national average, according to NFHS-6 (2023-24). The survey highlights rising non-communicable disease risks among adults, particularly men and urban residents, emphasizing the urgent need for preventive healthcare, regular screening, lifestyle modifications, and public awareness initiatives.
Tripura has emerged as one of the states reporting a higher burden of diabetes and hypertension than the national average, according to the latest findings of the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) conducted during 2023-24. The survey has raised concerns among health experts as it points to a growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases across the state, particularly among men and urban residents.
The recently released NFHS-6 data reveal that elevated blood sugar levels and high blood pressure are affecting a significant section of Tripura’s adult population. The findings indicate that lifestyle-related diseases are becoming a major public health challenge, requiring immediate attention through preventive healthcare strategies, awareness campaigns and regular health screening.
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According to the survey, 19.6 per cent of women in Tripura have high or very high blood sugar levels or are currently taking medication to manage diabetes. This figure is higher than the national average of 17.8 per cent. The situation is even more concerning among men, where 25.1 per cent reported high blood sugar levels or diabetes medication use, compared to the national average of 20.9 per cent.
The survey further highlights that 10.2 per cent of women and 13.4 per cent of men in Tripura have very high blood sugar levels exceeding 160 mg/dl. These figures are above the national averages of 9.1 per cent among women and 10.9 per cent among men, indicating a comparatively greater diabetes burden in the state.
Urban residents appear to be more vulnerable to diabetes than those living in rural areas. NFHS-6 found that 30.6 per cent of urban men and 25.8 per cent of urban women reported high or very high blood sugar levels or were taking medication for diabetes. These rates are substantially higher than those recorded in rural parts of the state, suggesting that changing urban lifestyles may be contributing to the growing health crisis.
Hypertension has also emerged as a significant concern in Tripura. The survey found that around 20 per cent of women in the state have elevated blood pressure or are taking medication to control hypertension. This is slightly higher than the national average of 19.4 per cent.
Among men, the difference is more pronounced. About 24.5 per cent of men in Tripura suffer from elevated blood pressure or are taking medication for hypertension, compared to the national average of 22.1 per cent. Health experts believe that increasing stress levels, unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles may be among the factors driving the rise in hypertension cases.
The urban-rural disparity is once again evident in the prevalence of hypertension. In urban Tripura, 31.6 per cent of men and 26.8 per cent of women reported elevated blood pressure. In comparison, the corresponding figures in rural areas stood at 22.4 per cent for men and 18.1 per cent for women.
A comparison between NFHS-5 (2019-21) and NFHS-6 (2023-24) shows a noticeable increase in diabetes prevalence across the state. Among men, the proportion of individuals with high blood sugar levels or taking diabetes medication increased from 19.3 per cent to 25.1 per cent. Among women, the figure rose from 17.7 per cent to 19.6 per cent during the same period.
Hypertension trends, however, present a mixed picture. While the prevalence among women declined slightly from 20.8 per cent in NFHS-5 to 20 per cent in NFHS-6, the proportion of affected men increased from 22.7 per cent to 24.5 per cent.
Public health specialists attribute the increasing burden of diabetes and hypertension to a combination of factors, including changing dietary patterns, rising obesity levels, reduced physical activity, increased consumption of processed foods and other lifestyle-related risks. The findings underscore the need for stronger preventive healthcare measures, early detection programmes and sustained awareness campaigns to curb the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases.
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The NFHS-6 report serves as an important reminder that Tripura’s adult population, especially men and urban residents, faces a greater risk of diabetes and hypertension than the national average. Health authorities are expected to intensify efforts to promote healthier lifestyles, regular medical check-ups and community-based interventions aimed at reducing the burden of these chronic diseases across the state.
