‘India’s healthy life expectancy lags a decade behind total lifespan’

India's life expectancy data and insights on public health interventions, challenges, and opportunities shared at MPH convocation ceremony.

India’s life expectancy stands at approximately 73.4 years, the healthy life expectancy is almost a decade shorter, said K. Srinath Reddy, honorary distinguished professor at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme at the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) in Hyderabad on Friday, Dr. Reddy highlighted the need for a sustained approach to public health. A total of 38 students from the 2022-24 MPH batch graduated on Friday.

“The loss of healthy years is not confined to the final decade of life, it is the cumulative result of health burdens across the entire life course. This calls for corrective measures through public health interventions, which must engage not only the health sector but also education, housing, environment, and transportation,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Zelalem Tafesse, Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office for Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, reminded graduates that public health is deeply intertwined with economics, governance, gender equity, climate change, and infrastructure.

“Even the national budget and market trends influence health outcomes,” Tafesse said, warning that misinformation in the digital age has become a serious public health threat.

Highlighting the growing role of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future, Tafesse encouraged graduates to harness their digital fluency to drive solutions. “You are better equipped than my generation to thrive in this digital era. Let your public health knowledge grow with the tools of tomorrow,” he said.

Addressing the graduates, IIPH-H Director Anil Kaul underscored the increasing significance of their chosen field. “You are stepping into a world grappling with global health crises and complex challenges. Your work has never been more important. This field demands innovation, resilience, and a commitment to equity and justice,” he said.