Pollution-Related Health Claims Rise 4.3x In India: Heart And Lung Diseases Account For 78%

Pollution insurance claims (Credits: iStock)

Air pollution in India is no longer just an environmental concern; it is increasingly becoming a serious public health and financial burden. As toxic air continues to affect several parts of the country, a worrying trend has emerged in health insurance data. Pollution-linked health insurance claims have surged 4.34x in just three years, with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions accounting for nearly 78% of all such claims, according to data shared by insurance marketplace Policybazaar.

The findings highlight how prolonged exposure to polluted air could be affecting more than just the lungs, with heart-related illnesses also contributing significantly to the growing healthcare burden.

According to the data, cardiovascular conditions accounted for 43.5% of pollution-associated health insurance claims, making them the largest contributor. Other respiratory infections followed at 35%, while pneumonia accounted for 11.2% and bronchitis contributed 6%. The figures underline the wider health implications of poor air quality, particularly as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies air pollution as a major risk factor for several non-communicable diseases, including ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Exposure to…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle