Telangana is facing a growing burden of hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. According to estimates prepared by the Centre based on ICMR and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, more than 1.04 crore people (1,04,81,100) in the state are living with these two lifestyle-related diseases. The estimates put the number of people with high blood pressure at 56,85,400 and those with diabetes at 47,95,700. Taken together, the figures suggest that nearly one in every four people in the state is affected by one of these conditions.
Young People Are Increasingly at Risk
What is particularly worrying is that hypertension and diabetes are no longer seen mainly among older adults. Changes in lifestyle, reduced physical activity, sedentary jobs and changing food habits are increasingly bringing these conditions into younger age groups. Cases are also being reported among people below 30 and, according to the supplied report, concerns are growing over diabetes among schoolchildren.
Another challenge is that both diseases can remain silent for years. Many people may have high BP or blood sugar without experiencing obvious symptoms. As a result, some cases are detected only after serious complications such as heart disease, stroke or kidney problems develop.
Lifestyle Changes Driving the Rise
Less Physical Activity: The expansion of desk-based and IT-related jobs has reduced daily physical activity for many people. Long working hours and prolonged sitting have become common, particularly in urban areas.
Changing Food Habits: The growing consumption of processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, excess salt and foods high in saturated fats is another concern. These dietary changes are no longer limited to cities and are increasingly visible in rural areas as well.
Stress and Urban Lifestyle: Work pressure, irregular routines and other stresses associated with modern urban life can also contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and poor control of BP and blood sugar.
Target: Bring 26.2 Lakh Patients Under Control
The Centre and Telangana government are focusing on early detection and long-term management of non-communicable diseases. This year, the target is to identify and bring the BP and blood sugar levels of at least 25% of the estimated affected population under control through treatment. The target works out to 26, 20,280 people. Under population-based screening, people aged 30 and above are being screened through health facilities, villages and urban settlements. Those diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes are being registered on the National NCD Portal for follow-up and monitoring. The government has also directed that children be screened for diabetes-related conditions under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), amid concerns over the changing disease pattern.
Hyderabad, Rangareddy Among High-Burden Areas
Urbanisation, sedentary work, changing food habits and reduced physical activity are major concerns in Hyderabad. The supplied data puts the city’s diabetes prevalence at around 16.6%, indicating a substantial burden. Surveys covering both rural and urban areas of Rangareddy have reportedly found that more than 25% of people are affected by BP and/or diabetes, highlighting how lifestyle-related diseases are spreading beyond the urban core.
Government screening data reportedly places Medak among the rural districts with a high disease burden. Around 23–24% of those screened were found to have hypertension, while 14–15% were found to have diabetes. The combined Warangal-Hanamkonda region has also recorded a significant prevalence, with hypertension reported in the 15–30% range and diabetes in the 10–20% range, according to the supplied figures.The rise is not confined to highly urbanised districts. Nalgonda, for instance, has reportedly recorded hypertension prevalence of around 18% and diabetes prevalence of around 10%, showing that the problem is spreading into predominantly rural and agriculture-dependent areas as well.
Why Are Tribal Areas Reporting Fewer Cases?
Districts with larger tribal and forest populations, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu, are reported to have comparatively lower levels of hypertension and diabetes. Traditional diets, lower consumption of processed foods and higher levels of physical activity through agriculture and forest-based work may partly explain the lower prevalence reported in these areas. However, these differences should be interpreted carefully, as disease detection can also depend on access to healthcare, screening coverage and awareness, not just lifestyle.
The Telangana experience shows that hypertension and diabetes are no longer simply urban health problems. The disease burden is increasingly visible in rural areas as well, suggesting that changing lifestyles and food habits are reaching deeper into the state. Doctors have repeatedly warned that uncontrolled BP and diabetes over the long term can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and other serious complications.
Alert After 30 Plus Age
For people aged 30 and above, regular health checks, a balanced diet, physical activity, weight management and timely treatment can help detect and control these conditions before they lead to more serious health problems. Telangana’s health challenge is therefore not just about treating 1.04 crore patients. It is about detecting the disease earlier, keeping it under control and preventing the next generation from becoming part of the same silent epidemic.