India’s health landscape is rapidly and silently shifting, with the most common health risks emerging earlier and often remaining undetected. Findings from the ‘Health of the Nation 2026’ (HoN 2026) report by Apollo Hospitals, which is based on over three million preventive health assessments conducted across its ecosystem in 2025, indicate that risk factors for conditions such as diabetes and obesity were already present across younger and working populations, often before they were clinically recognised.The sixth edition of HoN, which was released on World Health Day on Tuesday, said one in five persons under 30 were prediabetic. It is still reversible at this stage. Among those who intervened, 28% reversed to normal. Among those over 50, only 7 % did. It found that more than half were obese, and more than half had abnormal cholesterol.The report noted that nearly seven in 10 persons were deficient in Vitamin D, and close to half had low Vitamin B12. Nearly two-thirds of those under 30 had poor flexibility, strength or balance. Poor physical function is linked to stiffer arteries, higher risk of falls, and shorter lifespan. In fact, early screening by Apollo Shine Foundation across 20,164 students aged 17 to 25 found that two in three had at least one underlying health risk.In the working population (average age 38), eight in 10 were overweight, nearly half had prediabetes or diabetes and one in four had high blood pressure.Prathap C. Reddy, founder chairman, Apollo Hospitals, said for too long, health checks were viewed as routine blood tests and vitals merely a reactive response driven by fear. “Since no two lives are the same, our approach to prevention must be as individual as the people we serve,” he said.Giving women-specific insights, the report said women show distinct risk patterns, including anaemia and increasing central obesity with age. Based on Apollo’s data, the mean age of breast cancer detection through routine mammography was 51, nearly a decade earlier than in Western populations. With breast cancer occurring earlier in India, screening too should begin earlier. Among women over 40 who were screened, one in 359 had breast cancer, all asymptomatic, it said.Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson, Apollo Hospitals, said that estimates suggest that closing the women’s health gap could add up to $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040. “Yet, our data show that women in India continue to carry a significant health burden that often goes undetected,” she said.The report also laid emphasis on some conditions requiring imaging and advanced diagnostics for early detection. Among individuals with fatty liver confirmed through ultrasound, 74% had normal liver enzyme levels, while 45% of asymptomatic individuals who underwent coronary calcium scoring showed early atherosclerosis.Healthier persons had more diverse gut bacteria. As conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol build up, gut diversity dropped by about nine per cent in those with multiple issues. The gut flags metabolic problems before they surface, the report said.Sangita Reddy, joint managing director, Apollo Hospitals, said that a right health check at the right time can detect heart disease and cancer at Stage 1, when they are most treatable. India must move beyond symptom-led care to a predictive, continuous, and personalised approach, she said.The report said that diabetes prevalence varies across cities - Madurai at 36% versus Mumbai at 16%. Chennai reported 25% diabetes, 26% hypertension, 38% anaemia, and 77% obesity among those screened. Published - April 08, 2026 05:30 am IST