Escalating lifestyle diseases

Poor lifestyle choices are a primary contributor to a public health crisis involving non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Obesity: A 2016 survey found that 15% of Indore residents suffered from obesity due to poor lifestyle. In a 2025 screening, 30% of the population was found to have high blood pressure and diabetes, with 12% of those affected being children.

Heart disease: Cardiologists have expressed shock at the rising number of heart disease patients in Indore. Experts attribute this to poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity.

Lack of awareness: Many residents with hypertension and diabetes are unaware of their condition, highlighting a broader lack of health awareness.

Environmental quality issues

Despite being named the cleanest city in India for several years, Indore faces significant environmental challenges that impact health.

Air pollution: Air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions, construction dust, and burning biomass is a persistent problem. Indore has experienced poor air quality index (AQI) levels, with concerning levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that pose significant health implications.

Water quality: Studies have shown that some groundwater sources in Indore are contaminated and require purification before use due to pollutants from industrial effluents and sewage.

Access to and quality of healthcare

While Indore has developed significant healthcare infrastructure, affordability and quality remain major issues.

Affordability: A key challenge is providing affordable or free healthcare services to economically weaker sections of society, who are often forced to rely on unqualified practitioners.

Equitable access: There is a resource imbalance in health allocations between rural and urban areas, as well as disparities within urban settings. Slum communities, for instance, face poor access to and utilization of health services.

Government initiatives: Programs like the Nirogi Kaya Abhiyan aim to combat these issues by conducting large-scale health screenings for non-communicable diseases.

Mental health challenges

Mental health issues are on the rise in Indore, exacerbated by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surge in cases: During and after the pandemic, government hospitals saw a dramatic rise in patients with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.

Mental health stigma: Social stigma and lack of awareness discourage many people from seeking help for mental illness, leading to underreporting. This is especially prevalent in a city with strong cultural norms and community ties.

Societal factors: High mobile phone and social media usage contribute to poor mental health outcomes, particularly among younger and older populations.

Planting more trees can significantly reduce pollution and improve everyone's health. Also, ensuring all parks are well-maintained and safe will give people places to exercise and relax.

Services here would be the necessity that is provided to teens, which involves medical treatment facilities, sports facilities, and adequate health services for teens.

Fresh air, healthy food. But more than all this a happy mind keeps the city healthy

There should be a place which offer guidance, career counseling and mental health of a youth ...

1 - A clean and green environment.

2 - Good health services.

3 - An active lifestyle.

Healthcare services

Hygiene

Lifestyle (unhealthy diets and high stress level increase the risk of diseases which causes mental health issues )

Matters most to my health

The biggest problem our city faces is that of climate change which is harmful for its development. For us to be healthy, it is important that these things don't affect our city.

Environmental Quality: Clean air and water, green spaces, and effective waste management systems.
Healthy food

Social and Economic Factors: Employment opportunities, education, social support networks, and community safety.

If we keep our surroundings clean, organize regular health camps, and discuss mental health at home, our entire society will become healthier.

When we understand the importance of cleanliness, balanced diet, and positive thinking, then the journey towards a “healthy society” will truly begin.

Apart from the well-being of these two factors animals and plants individually, there's a huge need for concern towards each other. Also, how human power governs itself is a key matter to get a good hold of. The eco-friendly infrastructure must accompany human-friendly public facilities. Discipline in building and maintaining the city isn't only in the hands of the government but also the people.

For instance, cleanliness plays a major role. This matters the most in a thriving city of happiness and healthiness.

Near my home, there’s a small community area with exercise equipment. In the summer, it becomes a gathering spot where everyone, kids, teens, and adults, come to play and work out. But the trees there grew so thick that it’s no longer just “green”, it’s more like “full of mosquitoes”.

A few months ago, a small new park was built near my street. They also put in some exercise equipment, but this time they planted fresh green grass and added warm yellow lights. At night, you can hear the crickets singing and feel the breeze coming from the rice fields. It’s such a peaceful and refreshing place!

That’s why I really hope there will be more small parks like that - where we can play, hang out, and relax together. <3

To be honest, I used to think joining things like that was a waste of time and not really useful. But later, when I had the chance, and thanks to my parents’ encouragement, I decided to give it a try. After each activity, I realized I learned so much, met new friends, and understood myself better, hehe.

I believe many young people still think the way I used to. So I really hope parents, schools, and local communities can create more chances for us, teenagers, to take part and grow!

- Creating safe and healthy public spaces for everyone. 

- Providing more support for people’s mental and physical health.

The city should also organize more outdoor activities and meaningful volunteer programs for youth. Instead of just being online, we can take part in real projects to protect the environment and support our communities. That’s how young people grow and feel more connected.

But a healthy city isn’t just about the body, it’s also about mental health. We need more open public spaces like parks, sports areas, and community libraries where people of all ages can relax, meet others, and enjoy time outdoors. The city should also provide more mental health support, especially for students and teenagers, because our emotions change a lot at this age. When both the environment and people are cared for, everyone can live healthier and happier.

Another really important thing is traffic safety. Many students still don’t follow traffic rules, which can be dangerous. The city should have more training sessions, campaigns, and stricter checks to keep everyone safe. It would help a lot if there were more sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and easy public transport near schools, so students can travel safely.

A healthy city is not only about clean air, trees, and safe traffic. It also needs open public spaces where people can meet, talk, and feel that they belong.

Besides that, taking care of mental health, especially for young people, is very important, because a truly healthy city is a place where people not only live but also feel happy to live.

- Build more community spaces, playgrounds, and small parks in neighborhoods;

- Strengthen school mental health programs and create safe spaces for young people to share their feelings;

- Encourage teenagers to join green projects, like cleaning up the environment, recycling waste, or organizing “no motorbike” days, so they can feel they are making a positive difference for the city.

A truly healthy city is not only about clean air, green spaces, or safe traffic; it is also a place where people feel heard, connected, and free to express their emotions.

When citizens can breathe fresh air, exercise safely in parks, and have easy access to both physical and mental healthcare, that city becomes truly livable.

Young people need places to share ideas, relieve stress from study or work, and develop life skills.

Besides, community programs such as volunteering, street art events, or sports clubs should be expanded so that young people feel involved and have a voice in society.

I believe that even small actions, like not littering, walking instead of driving when possible, or simply listening to someone who feels down, can make our city greener, healthier, and more compassionate.