New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is identified as a major health challenge in India, as per a study released in The Lancet Psychiatry journal on Friday.
Autism spectrum disorder represents a neurological and developmental condition that significantly influences how individuals interact, communicate, and behave with one another.
This research, part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, positions autism among the top 10 contributors to non-fatal health burdens for individuals under 20 years of age.
In 2021, the study indicated India had 708.1 cases of ASD per 100,000 individuals. Of these cases, 483.7 were females, while 921.4 were males. Approximately 140 per 100,000 individuals experienced poor health and disability due to ASD in India that same year.
Globally, it is estimated that 61.8 million people, or one in every 127 individuals, were diagnosed with autism in 2021. The study also highlighted significant gender disparities.
With 1,065 cases per 100,000 males, the global prevalence of ASD was found to be much higher among males, nearly doubling the prevalence observed among females, which was 508 per 100,000 females.
While high-income Asia Pacific nations, including Japan, registered the highest global prevalence at 1,560 per 100,000, regions like Tropical Latin America and Bangladesh reflected the lowest ASD case counts.
“These findings highlight the urgent necessity for early detection and ongoing support for autistic individuals and their caregivers across the globe,” stated the researchers, emphasizing the importance of allocating resources for early disease detection.
The researchers also advocated for the creation of enhanced diagnostic tools, particularly for adults and individuals in low and middle-income countries that lack access to care, caregiver assistance, and services tailored to meet the evolving demands of autistic individuals throughout their lives.
Moreover, the team stressed the importance of improving geographic data coverage and implementing targeted interventions for comorbidities and mortality risks, including suicide among individuals with ASD.
