India’s workforce faces health crisis: Sleep disorders, obesity, and early cardiac risks on rise
Truworth Wellness report warns chronic conditions are hitting employees under 40, costing companies productivity and profits, and urges shift to outcome-driven wellness strategies.
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India’s young workforce is facing a health crisis that threatens both productivity and long-term economic growth. A new report by Truworth Wellness reveals that sleep disorders, obesity, and early-onset chronic illnesses such as cardiac and thyroid conditions are increasingly affecting employees under 40, eroding output during the country’s most economically dynamic years.
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Despite heavy corporate investment in wellness programs, the study warns that outcomes remain weak, urging companies to move beyond access-driven initiatives to personalised, measurable, and outcome-focused strategies.
The report, 'India Workplace Wellbeing Report 2025: From Access to Outcomes', is based on health data from over 46,000 employees across industries, offers an in-depth view into the hidden health risks shaping India’s workforce and the urgent need for organisations to move from one-size-fits-all wellness initiatives to measurable, targeted outcomes.
Key findings from the report:
Sleep deprivation is becoming a silent productivity crisis:
Nearly 1 in 10 employees suffer from sleep disorders, with prevalence highest among those aged 23–39. Poor sleep translates into an average productivity loss of 11.3 days per year per employee, costing companies approximately INR 2.1 lakh annually.
Chronic conditions are hitting earlier than ever:
Cardiac disorders are no longer confined to seniors, with cases rising in midlife and increasingly visible below age 40. Thyroid disorders remain significant before 40, while diabetes prevalence doubles with each decade but is now surfacing even among employees in their 20s and 30s.
Obesity is a gateway risk:
14% of employees are obese, with 71% of cases concentrated in the 25–35 age group. Obesity is strongly linked with co-morbidities including women’s health issues, thyroid disorders, and sleep disturbances, accelerating progression into more serious conditions.
The prevention paradox:
Despite being the most vulnerable, younger employees (20–29) are the least likely to undertake preventive health checks. 70% in this group reported skipping screenings, delaying detection of high-risk conditions.
Everyday ailments drain productivity:
Recurring headaches, digestive problems, and seasonal infections, especially among younger staff, translate into thousands of lost productive hours annually, while older employees disproportionately face musculoskeletal and respiratory challenges.
Commenting on the report, Rajesh Mundra, Founder and Executive Chairman of Truworth Wellness, said, “A decade ago, wellness meant insurance coverage or periodic health checks. Today, expectations are different. Employees and businesses alike need wellness programs that are predictive, personalised, and outcome-driven.
The report highlights that chronic conditions are striking earlier, everyday health issues are draining productivity, and preventive care is being overlooked. Wellness can no longer be a checkbox activity; it must be embedded as a strategic business priority.
The good news is that the return on investment is clear and measurable. Companies with outcome-driven wellness programs see 28% fewer sick leaves, 26% lower healthcare costs, and 11% higher revenue per employee. For every rupee spent, organisations save INR 289 in healthcare costs and INR 241 by reducing absenteeism.”
Conducted in collaboration with People Matters, the report recommends that companies make sleep and stress the foundation of wellness strategies, adopt gender- and age-responsive health pathways, shift from participation metrics to outcome-based measures, and establish early-warning systems to detect health risks before they escalate into costly chronic conditions.
By moving beyond access to measurable outcomes, Indian organisations have a unique opportunity to turn wellness into a strategic advantage, building healthier, more resilient, and more productive workplaces that match the scale of India’s economic ambition.
