New Delhi, Apr 17 (TNT): Care Health Insurance reported a sharp rise in liver disease cases across younger populations and smaller cities, with health insurance claims for such ailments doubling over the past three years.
According to the insurer’s data released on Friday, treatment costs for liver diseases have also nearly doubled during the period, making them a growing financial burden on households.
It said a minimum health cover of ₹15 lakh is increasingly becoming necessary for adequate protection against such conditions.
The data indicates a 5–10 per cent annual increase in liver disease among younger individuals and a 10–15 per cent yearly rise in claims from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
While liver disease continues to affect men predominantly, cases among women are rising by nearly 10 per cent annually, the data revealed.
The findings come amid growing concern over Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, which, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, affects between 9 and 32 per cent of the population and is increasingly being described as a “silent epidemic.”
Commenting on the trend, Care Health Insurance Chief Operating Officer Manish Dodeja said liver diseases are expanding beyond traditional risk groups, with younger individuals increasingly affected and treatment costs rising sharply.
The insurer noted that the trend aligns with broader clinical findings, including a growing prevalence of fatty liver disease among children, particularly those with obesity and related metabolic risk factors.
With treatment costs rising and cases increasing across demographics, liver disease is emerging as one of the most financially demanding health conditions for Indian families, the company added.
According to estimates by the World Obesity Federation’s World Obesity Observatory, nearly 1.19 crore Indian children could be living with liver disease by 2040 if current trends continue.
With treatment costs rising and care becoming more complex, liver disease is emerging as one of the most financially burdensome medical conditions for Indian families.
On the occasion of World Liver Day, the insurer urged individuals to prioritise screening, adopt healthier lifestyles, and review their insurance coverage proactively.
TNT KS
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