Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2017

The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2017 was a joint initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The study was based on all accessible data sources from India, including national household surveys, a variety of dietary and nutrition surveys, and other epidemiological studies, to arrive at its findings.

Findings of the Report

India is likely to miss the targets set under the ambitious Poshan Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM) for the reduction in the prevalence of stunting, underweight, low birth weight and anaemia in women and children by 2022 if India does not achieve progress in improving the rate of decline observed between 1990 and 2017.

The study notes that India will miss its target for:

• Stunting levels of 25% by 9.6%.
• Underweight target of 22.7% by 4.8%.
• Desired low birth level of 11.4% by 8.9%.
• Anaemia level among women of 39.4% by 13.8%; and
• Anaemia level among children of 44.7% by 11.7%.

Lagging Behind in Meeting targets under Poshan Abhiyan

Poshan Abhiyaan has targets to double the rate [of decline]. It sets a target of 2% reduction per year for underweight, but the percentage of reduction was typically 1%.

The study shows gaps in achieving the targets and much more of these efforts are needed in different States to reach the targets set by the government.