Heart disease is now India's biggest killer, overtaking so called "poverty" diseases. India's modernization appears to correlate with the state of the nations health.

Government backed research shows 25% of 130,000 deaths (analysed between 2001-2003) were due to coronary heart disease. During the same period, 10% of the sample died of tuberculosis and 4% died of diarrhea related disease.

The period of study is at the start of India's economic development, so we can assume that deaths due to modern living have increased further.

Two tier health system

Government spends just 0.9% GDP on public health, the system is creaking and will struggle to meet this new influx of coronary care. While the likes of Fortis Healthcare, Apollo and Max India are building well equipped hospitals for the growing middle class, elsewhere state hospitals are in decay. Estimates are that modern life diseases will cost India $US200 billion between 2005-2015. Indian's will have to pay for the best care.

Modern disease and modern living

This isn't the first report to show that modern living brings modern disease. India is already suffering from a Diabetes epidemic and Assocham have concluded that 24% of corporate employees sleep less that six hours a day due to high stress levels, costing the economy US$ 150 billion a year in lost productivity.

University of Maryland and the National Council of Applied Economic Research have found 22% of Indians living in cities are overweight and 7% obese.

Market opportunities

Not surprisingly the health and well being sectors are likely to develop. The Wellness Service Market (beauty, slimming & fitness and alternative treatments) - valued at R's 110 billion in 2009 - is expected to grow at 33% annually.

In addition the nascent health insurance industry - current penetration at below 5% - is expected to boom as people protect themselves from rising healthcare costs and modern life.