EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a pervasive global health issue, with India bearing a disproportionate share of the burden. Anemia is a frequent comorbidity in individuals with COPD, with reported prevalence ranging from 7.5% to 33%. It significantly affects quality of life, increases healthcare resource utilization and costs, and is associated with higher mortality rates. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), anemia affects nearly 57% of pregnant women and over 67% of children under five figures that highlight an urgent public health crisis. Despite national initiatives like Anemia Mukt Bharat, anemia rates have shown minimal improvement and, in some regions, have even worsened. These numbers reflect not just the scale of the problem but the shortcomings of current intervention strategies.

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