University of Leicester, UK, and New Delhi-based Centre for Chronic Disease Control have launched “Integrated, co-developed intervention for detection and management of cardiometabolic risk factors in older Indians (CARDIO-India)”, a £5 million (approximately ₹62 crore), five-year research programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The programme focuses on improving detection and management of cardiometabolic risk factors among adults aged 60 and above. This population group has risk of cardiovascular diseases, with limited access to screening and long-term management. Cardiovascular diseases account for over 25 per cent of all mortality in India.
The programme will co-design interventions and evaluate them through a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 48 Mobile Health Units across 10 states, covering close to 2000 participants.
CARDIO-India builds on the Government of India’s Mobile Medical Units initiative under the National Health Mission to deliver care across rural and sub-urban areas.
The programme begins with a formative and co-design phase involving patients, caregivers, clinicians and frontline health workers. It will then move to a cluster randomised controlled trial, with the intervention running for 24 months. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 12 months and 24 months.
The programme follows a community-based model combining doorstep clinical assessment and remote specialist support. Community health workers will visit older adults at home, conduct examinations and connect with specialists through an assisted telemedicine platform supported by a clinical decision support system. Mobile Medical Units are equipped with diagnostic tools including an electronic stethoscope, AI-enabled ECG and handheld echocardiography. Data from interactions will contribute to digital health records under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission.
India’s population aged 60 and above is projected to reach 230 million by 2036, according to the UNFPA India Ageing Report. By 2050, older adults are expected to outnumber children. Globally, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 19.8 million deaths in 2022, representing around 32 per cent of all deaths. More than three quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, including India. The incidence of heart disease is projected to increase by nearly 90 per cent between 2025 and 2050, with a more than 70 per cent increase in deaths.
The programme is led by CCDC for implementation and the University of Leicester for research and trial design. It will work with HelpAge India for access to Mobile Health Units and patient populations. AIIMS New Delhi and Nightingales Medical Trust will provide inputs in ageing and geriatric care, while Krea University will contribute research and analytical support. Co-applicant institutions include Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham.
Over time, the programme is expected to improve control of cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life and health-adjusted life years among older adults. In the short term, it will generate evidence on design, acceptability and feasibility of technology-enabled community care.
Kamlesh Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said, “We at the University of Leicester are excited to collaborate with CCDC on CARDIO-India, which will focus on the care of older adults with cardiovascular disease and its risk factors across India. As a country with a predominantly young population today, India must begin preparing its health systems for the needs of an ageing population. CARDIO-India is our effort to support that transition by strengthening ambulatory care.”
Professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Executive Director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, said, “CCDC is excited to co-lead CARDIO-India. It builds on a long- standing collaboration with the University of Leicester and is strengthened by the participation of partners including AIIMS New Delhi, Krea University, HelpAge India and Nightingales Medical Trust. Just like our languages, the healthcare needs are also very diverse across the country. With a population that is ageing rapidly, our health systems must be efficient and resilient in ways to cater for their needs in the coming times. CARDIO India is a visionary effort which will help India march towards the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for its future population.”