Context:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has launched the BHARAT Study to create India-specific reference values for healthy ageing biomarkers. This effort aims to reduce misdiagnosis and improve geriatric care by addressing the limitations of Western-centric medical benchmarks.
What is Healthy Ageing?
Healthy ageing is the process of maintaining physical, mental, and functional well-being in later life. It prioritizes quality of life over mere longevity. Biological age—reflected in organ function or cellular markers—often differs from chronological age.
Key Data & Trends on Ageing in India
- By 2050, 20% of India’s population (approx. 319 million) will be 60+ (UNFPA India).
- Disease burden: Parkinson’s cases may rise 168%, and dementia by 200% (Lancet, 2024).
- Only 28% of the elderly receive formal pension support (NSSO 75th round).
- Less than 5% of Primary Health Centres have geriatric outpatient services (MoHFW).
- Gender disparity: Women outlive men but suffer more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Features of Healthy Ageing
- Functional independence in daily tasks (e.g., cooking, walking).
- Resilience to stress, such as surgery or infections.
- Good mental health with low social isolation and depression.
- Use of preventive biomarkers like CRP, HDL, and metabolite levels.
- Culturally adapted health standards rather than universal Western benchmarks.
Why India Needs a Contextual Approach
- Faster ageing transition than OECD peers (e.g., Kerala’s elderly dependency rate to hit 35%).
- Western lab norms often misinterpret Indian metabolic profiles (e.g., B12 deficiency).
- Social security void: <20% elderly covered under old age pension schemes.
- Rural-urban divide in access to geriatric wards and transport.
- Weakened family care due to nuclearisation of households.
Challenges to Healthy Ageing
- Data scarcity: Most available biomarkers are based on Western studies like NHANES.
- Cultural reluctance to medical screening among tribal and rural elders.
- Low budget priority: NPHCE underfunded within NHM.
- Sampling bias: Difficulty in finding healthy elderly for baseline samples.
- Early-life disease burden skews adult ageing trajectories.
Key Initiatives
- BHARAT Study (IISc): India’s first bio-bank on ageing biomarkers, focusing on local genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors.
- NPHCE: Offers geriatric clinics and home-based care.
- LASI (Longitudinal Ageing Study in India): Tracks elder health and functional decline.
- RSBY / AB PM-JAY: Health insurance for age-related diseases.
- Medical education: Geriatrics included in MBBS and AYUSH specialisations.
