Age- and cause-specific life expectancy analysis in India, 2021: Impact of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, And type 2 diabetes on longevity

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Life expectancy is a key indicator of population health, reflecting cumulative mortality across age groups and providing insights into the effectiveness of healthcare systems and public health interventions. India, undergoing rapid demographic and epidemiological transitions, has experienced a shift from infectious to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, and type-2 diabetes emerging as major contributors to mortality. Understanding the impact of these diseases on population survival is critical for effective policy formulation and resource allocation. Methods: This study utilizes the IHME Global Burden of Disease 2021 dataset for India to construct

ordinary and cause-eliminated abridged life tables for both male and female populations. Age- and cause- specific death rates were calculated, and life table functions including age-specific death rates (mx),

probabilities of dying (qx), and years lived (Lx) were estimated. Cause-elimination life tables were then generated to assess potential gains in life expectancy by hypothetically removing deaths attributable to CVD, cancers, and type-2 diabetes. Results: In 2021, life expectancy at birth was 66.6 years for males and 71.39 years for females, with females consistently exhibiting higher survival across all ages. Elimination of CVD yielded the greatest gains, increasing male life expectancy by 3.5 years and female life expectancy by 3.53 years at birth, followed by moderate gains from cancer elimination (0.9 -1.16 years) and minimal improvements from diabetes (<0.5 years). The impact of CVD elimination was most pronounced after age 50, while childhood survival remained high, reflecting successful early-life interventions. Conclusion: These findings highlight the dominant role of cardiovascular diseases in limiting life expectancy and underscore the importance of targeted NCD prevention, early detection, and management strategies. Public health policies focusing on lifestyle modification, improved access to quality care, and geriatric health interventions are essential to maximize longevity and reduce the burden of major NCDs in India.