India is standing on the brink of a major health crisis, and Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, is urging the nation to take notice. Using X (formerly Twitter) as his platform, Kamath painted a stark picture of India's struggle with diabetes, now the country with the world’s highest number of cases. Over 21 crore Indians live with this condition, a number that threatens to grow if awareness and preventive measures remain lacking.

A Growing Epidemic: Not Just a Disease of Affluence

Diabetes, once dismissed as a ‘disease of affluence’, has infiltrated every layer of Indian society. Kamath revealed alarming statistics:

A 20-year-old urban woman in India today has a 64.6% lifetime risk of developing diabetes.

For young men, the figure isn’t much better at 55.5%.

“This isn’t just a health issue—it’s a societal one,” Kamath emphasized, pointing to the condition’s growing prevalence across all socio-economic strata and age groups.

Silent and Dangerous: Lack of Awareness Adds to the Crisis

Even more troubling is the lack of awareness among those affected. Kamath highlighted that 27.5% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Among those diagnosed, adequate treatment remains a privilege few can afford.

“We’re not just battling a disease,” Kamath stated. “We’re battling ignorance and a lack of access to affordable healthcare.”

The Financial Toll on Indian Households

The diabetes crisis is not just a health emergency—it’s a financial one too. Kamath pointed out that less than 20% of Indians have health insurance, leaving the majority to cover skyrocketing medical expenses out-of-pocket. This burden is particularly devastating for low-income households, where a single medical emergency can push families into a cycle of debt and poverty.

Call to Action: Prevention is Key

Kamath’s insights serve as a wake-up call. He stressed the urgent need for nationwide awareness campaigns, early screenings, and better healthcare infrastructure to manage the growing burden of diabetes. “The solution lies not just in treatment but in prevention,” he said, advocating for healthier lifestyles, regular exercise, and balanced diets as the first line of defense.

A National Crisis Deserving Immediate Attention

As India marches towards economic progress, Kamath’s message underscores a crucial reality: without addressing the diabetes epidemic, the country’s health and productivity face a serious threat. It’s time for policymakers, healthcare providers, and individuals to come together to combat this silent killer.

Kamath’s words resonate deeply in a nation where millions are grappling with the consequences of a preventable disease. The question now is: will we act before it’s too late?