Pollution-linked health claims surge fourfold in three years: Insurance data

Health insurance claims linked to pollution have quadrupled over the past three years, signalling a growing public health crisis driven by deteriorating air quality across the region, according to data from the insurance sector. The surge underscores mounting concerns about the long-term health impacts of environmental degradation on India's workforce and urban populations.

Working professionals aged between 31 and 55 years account for 59 per cent of all pollution-related claims, indicating that individuals during their peak productive years are disproportionately affected by air quality issues. This demographic typically includes salaried employees, entrepreneurs, and other economically active groups who spend considerable time commuting and working in polluted environments.

Seasonal patterns in the claims data reveal that winter months are particularly problematic, contributing 56 per cent of annual pollution-linked health claims. The concentration of cases during colder months aligns with known atmospheric conditions that trap pollutants near the ground level, including stubble burning in agricultural regions and reduced wind speeds that prevent pollutant dispersal.

Insurance experts attribute the dramatic rise in claims to a combination of factors: worsening air quality in metropolitan and semi-urban areas, increased awareness among policyholders about pollution-related health risks, and better documentation of pollution as a contributing factor to illnesses. Common conditions triggering claims include respiratory diseases, cardiovascular complications, and allergic reactions.