Key Insights on Multimorbidity and Its Risk Factors in India

Prevalence and Patterns of Multimorbidity in Older Adults

India is experiencing a significant demographic shift characterized by an increasingly aging population, leading to a corresponding rise in the prevalence of multimorbidity. According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), nearly one-third of individuals aged 45 and above report suffering from at least one chronic condition, with multimorbidity affecting over 50% of this demographic (Kumar & Yadav, 2025). The most prevalent conditions include hypertension (26.72%), myopia (24.2%), and various gastrointestinal disorders (17.98%), indicating a substantial burden on the healthcare system (Kumar & Yadav, 2025).

The data demonstrates that the prevalence of multimorbidity increases significantly with age, rising from 43.47% in the 45-49 age group to 63.84% in those aged 80 and above. This trend underscores the necessity for healthcare systems to adapt to the growing complexity of managing multiple chronic conditions concurrently. The LASI data further reveals that older adults with poor childhood health experiences show the highest susceptibility to multimorbidity, emphasizing the importance of early health interventions (Kumar & Yadav, 2025).

Conditional Risk Factors Influencing Multimorbidity Susceptibility

Understanding the conditional risk factors contributing to multimorbidity is crucial for developing effective interventions. The CART (Classification and Regression Trees) model applied to the LASI dataset identified several significant risk factors, including childhood health status, body mass index (BMI), place of residence, age, caste category, and education level. For instance, individuals who reported poor childhood health had a 0.57 risk of developing multimorbidity, compared to a significantly lower risk for those with good childhood health experiences (0.19). This indicates a strong correlation between early health conditions and later-life health outcomes (Kumar & Yadav, 2025).

Table: Risk Factors and Their Impact on Multimorbidity

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Multimorbidity Rates

Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a vital role in determining health outcomes in older adults. The LASI findings indicate that individuals from lower economic quintiles experience higher rates of multimorbidity than their wealthier counterparts. For example, the multimorbidity prevalence among the richest quintile was approximately 62.93%, while it was only 39.87% among the poorest (Kumar & Yadav, 2025). This disparity highlights the need for targeted healthcare policies that address socioeconomic inequalities to mitigate the risk factors associated with multimorbidity.

Furthermore, education significantly influences health outcomes. The analysis showed that individuals with more than 10 years of schooling had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity (60.63%) compared to those with no formal education (44.49%), suggesting that higher educational attainment may correlate with better access to healthcare and health information, despite a seemingly paradoxical relationship (Kumar & Yadav, 2025).

The Role of Childhood Health in Adult Multimorbidity

Research indicates that childhood health is a critical determinant of adult health outcomes, particularly in the context of multimorbidity. The LASI data reveal that individuals who reported poor childhood health had a significantly elevated risk of developing multiple chronic conditions in later life. This correlation suggests that early health interventions can play a substantial role in reducing the burden of multimorbidity in older adults (Kumar & Yadav, 2025).

Moreover, the findings emphasize the importance of addressing childhood health disparities to improve long-term health outcomes. Programs focused on enhancing childhood health, nutrition, and access to healthcare could potentially mitigate future multimorbidity risks and improve overall health trajectories for future generations.

Recommendations for Addressing Multimorbidity in India

To effectively manage and reduce the prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults in India, several strategic recommendations can be made:

1. Health Education and Awareness: Increase public awareness about the importance of early health interventions, particularly during childhood, to prevent chronic conditions from developing later in life.

2. Targeted Healthcare Programs: Develop and implement healthcare programs aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly those with poor childhood health, low socioeconomic status, and limited access to healthcare.

3. Integrated Healthcare Models: Promote integrated healthcare delivery models that address both communicable and non-communicable diseases simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive care for individuals with multimorbidity.

4. Policy Reforms: Advocate for policy reforms that focus on improving health infrastructure and access to healthcare services in rural and underserved urban areas.

5. Research and Data Collection: Encourage further research on the conditional risk factors and health outcomes associated with multimorbidity, utilizing large-scale longitudinal studies to inform healthcare strategies.

By adopting these recommendations, India can work towards reducing the burden of multimorbidity and improving health outcomes for its aging population.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is multimorbidity?

Multimorbidity refers to the coexistence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions in a single individual. It poses significant challenges for healthcare systems due to the complexity of managing multiple health issues simultaneously.

How prevalent is multimorbidity in older adults in India?

According to the LASI data, over 50% of older adults in India experience multimorbidity, with conditions such as hypertension and myopia being the most common.

What factors influence the risk of multimorbidity?

Key factors influencing multimorbidity include childhood health, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), education level, and place of residence.

Why is childhood health important for adult multimorbidity?

Childhood health sets the foundation for long-term health outcomes. Poor childhood health is strongly associated with increased risks of developing chronic conditions in adulthood.

What steps can be taken to address multimorbidity in India?

Strategies include enhancing public health education, implementing targeted healthcare programs, promoting integrated care models, advocating for policy reforms, and conducting further research on multimorbidity.

References

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