The WHO World Health Report (2005) indicates for India an adult mortality rate per 1000 population of 283 for males and 213 for females. Life expectancy at birth for males is 60.0; 63.0 for females. Healthy life expectancy is 53.3 for males; 53.6 for females.117
In India, the commonest cancer diagnoses for men are head and neck (especially tongue and mouth), stomach, lung and oesophagus. For women the most prevalent cancers are cervix, uteri, breast, head and neck, oesophagus and ovary.2,119,120According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the number of death for all cancers (except non-melanoma skin) in 2002 was: 284,636 females; and 294,780 males.121
India's socioeconomic status, traditional social norms, cultural beliefs on sex and sexuality, large-scale migration and a huge population of marginalized people make it extremely vulnerable to the AIDS epidemic. Table 13 shows the United Nation’s estimated HIV and AIDS rates for India.
Table 13 India HIV and AIDS estimates, end 2003 122
Adult (15-49)
HIV prevalence rate |
0.9%
(range: 0.5%-1.5%) |
Adults (15-49)
living with HIV |
5,000,000
(range: 2 500 000-8 200 000) |
Adults and children (0-49)
living with HIV |
5,100,000
(range: 2 500 000-8 500 000) |
Women (15-49)
living with HIV |
1,900,000
(range: 710 000-2 400 000) |
AIDS deaths
(adults and children)
in 2003 |
…
(range: 160 000-560 000) |
UNAIDS reports:
The second phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACPII) has been established through the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and State AIDS Control Societies in every state.
India is one of the few countries that initiated HIV-prevention activities in the very early stages of the epidemic and the country has maintained its commitment to prevention efforts.
In 2004, India introduced free antiretroviral treatment in government hospitals. The programme initially began in the six high-prevalence states. Furthermore, 2004 brought a change in government and an increased political commitment to implement a multisectoral programme on HIV and AIDS.
However, due to the vast size of the country, there are many challenges involved in expanding the high-level commitment to all states and to the grass-roots level, as well as in involving ministries and departments other than health, and in scaling up interventions to meet the projected needs for prevention and care. |
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