Doctors' deaths | A silent crisis

Amid rising cardiac deaths among young physicians, a look at the crisis relating to doctors' health in India—and what it takes to protect our protectors

ISSUE DATE: Nov 18, 2024

Indians have a life expectancy of 70.8 years. But the nation’s doctors who play a key role in keeping its populace healthy are dying young! In Kerala, in fact, a study of 10,000 doctors (2007-17) found their mean life expectancy to be just 61.75 years. That’s in stark contrast with the developed countries, like the US and UK, where doctors in general have a higher life expectancy than the general population. From long working hours to high levels of stress and poor physical health, multiple factors are putting the doctors at risk.