South India defies national trend as one in seven over 45 have lung disease

Sumit Jha

Sep 09, 2025

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A study published in PLOS One has revealed that nearly 14.4 percent Indians aged 45 and above are living with obstructive lung disease (OLD).

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However, the research uncovered significant regional disparities that challenge previous assumptions about disease distribution across the subcontinent.

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While northern and western India grapple with the highest rates of obstructive lung disease in the country, south India presents a contrasting picture in the study.

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Earlier  GBD estimates found that the prevalence of COPD was fairly high in Southern India compared with other regions, while this was not the case in this study. 

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Northern India recorded the highest prevalence at 17.2 percent, followed closely by Western India at 16.2 percent.

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In stark contrast, Northeast showed the lowest observed prevalence at 10.8 percent, while Southern India ranked fourth among the six regions studied.