Anaemia prevalence in urban workforce falls to 12.14 pct over the last five yrs

At a time when the focus on health is more than ever in a post-Covid world, a new research has revealed a significant drop in anaemia among urban working women—driven by better preventive care, timely screenings, and improved nutrition awareness.

The study conducted by Indian digital healthcare company Medibuddy, which analysed health records from 4,397 urban corporate employees, found that 32.67 per cent of women surveyed were anaemic — a significant reduction compared to the national urban average of 56.5 per cent reported by National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019–21) for women aged 15–49. Among male employees, our research shows anaemia prevalence was just 5.63 per cent, and NFHS-5 data also shows the urban average is lower of 25 per cent for men in the same age group.

This improvement is attributed to factors such as rising health literacy, regular screenings, timely interventions, and expanded access to corporate wellness programs promoting balanced diets.

According to the study, working women aged 40–50 emerged as the most vulnerable group, making up 26.44 per cent of all anaemic female respondents, likely due to age-related hormonal changes and higher nutritional needs. Among men, the 40–50 age group also reported the highest incidence (4.40&#37), suggesting age-related lifestyle and dietary factors may influence anaemia risk for both genders.

On a state-wise level, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of anaemic employees (3.66 per cent of the total sample), followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. However, several states, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, demonstrated relatively low anaemia prevalence—highlighting regional disparities and the influence of local healthcare programs and outreach efforts.

Despite regional and gender gaps, the overall data suggests a positive trajectory in urban employee health in terms of anaemia. 

The study shows that anaemia prevalence among urban employees has dropped to just 12.14 per cent over the last five years—a significant improvement compared to over 40 per cent national average reported in NFHS-5 (2019–21). This decline reinforces the positive impact of improved health literacy and early interventions, especially through regular health check-ups, across the urban workforce.

Dr Gowri Kulkarni, head of medical operations, MediBuddy, highlighting the importance of early action, said, “The reduction in anaemia prevalence among urban women is an encouraging indicator that corporate India is waking up to the importance of preventive healthcare. Increased access to regular health check-ups, workplace nutrition initiatives, and timely diagnosis has allowed many women to better manage and reverse nutrient deficiencies. However, continued efforts are needed to bridge the gap completely—especially for those in the most vulnerable age groups.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day