Vitamin D Deficiency: A Silent Crisis Looms Over India, Says New Report
A new report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) has raised serious concerns about a growing public health threat in India—Vitamin D deficiency, which affects one in five Indians across all age groups and regions.
Titled “Roadmap to Address Vitamin D Deficiency in India,” the report highlights the widespread nature of this nutritional shortfall, calling it a “silent epidemic” that demands urgent national attention. The think tank recommends a multipronged approach involving public awareness campaigns, policy reforms, food fortification, and improved diagnostic access.
A Nationwide Problem
Vitamin D deficiency doesn’t discriminate—it impacts everyone from young children and working professionals to healthcare workers and the elderly. Among children aged 0–10, nearly 46% show signs of rickets, while 80–90% of older adults face a heightened risk of osteoporosis, which increases the chance of fractures and long-term disability.
Eastern India emerged as the most severely affected region, with almost 39% of the population lacking sufficient Vitamin D. The report attributes this widespread deficiency to a combination of factors, including:
- Limited sun exposure due to urban lifestyles, air pollution, and indoor work environments
- Cultural norms that discourage direct sunlight exposure
- Low dietary intake of Vitamin D-rich foods like fish, eggs, and dairy
- Vegetarian diets and lactose intolerance, which further limit nutritional sources
Women, in particular, are more vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency across all age groups.
Beyond Bone Health
While Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, its role extends far beyond that. Health experts, as reported in The Mint, link the deficiency to a host of other problems, including:
- Chronic fatigue and muscle weakness
- Depression and mood disorders
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers like breast and prostate cancer
Barriers to Diagnosis and Treatment
Access to diagnostics and affordable supplements remains a major hurdle. Vitamin D tests in private labs often cost over Rs 1,500, while supplements range from Rs 48 to Rs 130 for just ten tablets. Though cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is on the essential medicines list, only the animal-based version is price-regulated. The plant-based D2 version remains unregulated and more expensive.
ICRIER’s Recommendations
To tackle the crisis, ICRIER has proposed the following policy measures:
- Reduce GST on Vitamin D supplements
- Lower import duties on test kits and supplements from 10% to 5%
- Bring both D2 and D3 under price regulation
- Invest in domestic R&D to develop affordable testing solutions
- Expand food fortification beyond milk and oil to include staples like wheat and rice
- Integrate Vitamin D testing into national health programs, such as Anaemia Mukt Bharat
The report also recommends enhancing mid-day meal programs under PM POSHAN by including fortified foods such as eggs and milk.
Call to Action: Kuposhan Mukt Bharat
Co-author of the study and Aakash Healthcare MD, Aashish Chaudhry, warned that Vitamin D deficiency could significantly impact India’s productivity and place enormous strain on the healthcare system if not addressed soon.
To raise awareness, ICRIER is advocating for a nationwide campaign titled “Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat,” which would use schools, media, and community programs to educate the public—especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly—about the importance of Vitamin D and how to prevent deficiency.
