A study conducted by SBI General Insurance between FY 15-16 and FY 17-18 reveals that about 38% of all waterborne diseases are made by millennials- the age group of 18 to 35 years.
The second-most affected age group is that of up to 5 years, wherein 17% of total claims for waterborne disease are made. This may be due to improper hygiene and contaminated food & water.
Sukhesh Bhave, Deputy Vice President – Accident & Health Claims, SBI General Insurance said, “ Making up majority of claims for waterborne diseases, the millennial generation is more likely to be exposed to risk of contamination as they often have eating habits that may include contaminated food and water.”
He added, “Ailments like Dysentery and Diarrhea which constitute 3.7% of waterborne diseases to have been claimed for, have seen a gradual decrease in the number of claims over the three years. Improving one’s hygiene and sanitation habits like washing hands before eating and using clean utensils go a long way in avoiding these ailments.”
Some of the trends that was identified by the study.
-5% of the total health insurance claims paid between FY 15-16 and FY 17-18 are for waterborne diseases.
-The top waterborne diseases that have had maximum claims over the past three years include Typhoid-related fevers, -Gastroenteritis/Acute Gastroenteritis-related, and Diarrhea/dysentery-related ailments, with Typhoid leading with a total contribution of 79% to all claims for waterborne diseases over the past three years.
-Majority of claims for waterborne diseases are paid from metropolitan cities while 44% from non-metropolitan cities.
-A majority of 56% claims for waterborne diseases are paid by males over 43% by females between FY 15-16 and FY 17-18.