Study finds pollution-related hospitalisation claims rising sharply, with Delhi leading and Tier II cities showing growing vulnerability

Children under the age of ten are the most affected by pollution-related illnesses, accounting for 43 per cent of all health insurance claims linked to air pollution, according to a new report by Policybazaar. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of India’s worsening air quality on children and the growing health and economic burden associated with pollution-related diseases.

The findings reveal that children are five times more affected than any other age group, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of younger populations to toxic air. Adults aged 31-40 years accounted for 14 per cent of such claims, while those above 60 years made up only 7 per cent.

Pollution-linked illnesses now represent 8 per cent of all hospitalisation claims, with respiratory and cardiac conditions forming the bulk of cases. The report found that Delhi recorded the highest volume of claims, followed by Bengaluru and Hyderabad, which reported higher claim ratios. Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, and Indore also showed a marked increase, suggesting that the health impact of air pollution is no longer confined to metropolitan areas.

The average health insurance claim associated with air pollution stood at Rs 55,000, while the average daily hospital cost was Rs 19,000. The report also noted that the surge in pollution-related ailments has pushed up treatment expenses by 11 per cent in recent years.

Seasonal variations were particularly evident around the Diwali period, when pollution-linked claims rose by 14 per cent compared with pre-Diwali levels. The spike coincided with a sharp deterioration in the Air Quality Index (AQI) driven by fireworks, stubble burning, and stagnant winter air. Between late October and early December, pollution levels in many northern cities shifted from “moderate” to “severe.”

In September 2025, 9 per cent of all hospitalisation claims were linked to pollution-induced ailments, including respiratory infections, cardiac complications, and skin and eye allergies. Over the past four years, such claims have steadily climbed from 6.4 per cent in 2022 to 9 per cent post-Diwali 2025, signalling a growing public health challenge.

The report further found that air pollution affects multiple organ systems beyond the lungs. Common claim categories included asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmia, hypertension, eczema, conjunctivitis, pregnancy complications, and sinus-related allergies.

As India enters another winter season marked by heavy smog, the findings point to an escalating health crisis. The growing incidence of pollution-linked illnesses, especially among children, underscores the urgent need for stronger policy intervention, cleaner urban planning, and expanded healthcare coverage for pollution-related diseases.