In a significant step to address India’s growing heart health crisis, the University of Leicester and Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) have joined hands to launch a £5 million programme aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease among older adults.

The five-year initiative, called CARDIO-India, is designed to improve how heart-related risks are detected and managed among people aged 60 and above—one of the most vulnerable and often underserved population groups in the country. With heart disease already accounting for more than 25% of all deaths in India, the urgency behind this effort is hard to ignore.

India’s ageing population is growing rapidly. By 2036, the number of people aged 60 and above is expected to reach 230 million, and by 2050, older adults could outnumber children for the first time. This demographic shift brings with it a sharp rise in chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular diseases, making early detection and continuous care more critical than ever.

What sets CARDIO-India apart is its community-first approach. Instead of waiting for patients to visit hospitals, the programme will take healthcare directly to their homes. Across 10 states, nearly 2,000 participants will be part of a large-scale study supported by 48 Mobile Health Units. Trained health workers will conduct doorstep screenings, assess patients, and connect them with doctors through telemedicine platforms.

These mobile units are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, including AI-enabled ECG machines, electronic stethoscopes, and portable echocardiography devices. Each patient interaction will also be digitally recorded, contributing to a larger digital health ecosystem aligned with India’s national health mission.

The programme is structured as a cluster randomised controlled trial, allowing researchers to closely study its real-world impact. It will begin with a co-design phase involving patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, ensuring that the solutions are practical and relevant. The intervention will then run for two years, with outcomes measured at different stages to assess improvements in health and quality of life.

CARDIO-India builds on the foundation of India’s existing Mobile Medical Units but introduces a more integrated and technology-driven model. By combining community outreach with specialist care and digital tools, the initiative aims to create a sustainable and scalable healthcare solution.

The project also reflects a strong global collaboration. Alongside the University of Leicester and CCDC, partners such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, HelpAge India, Nightingales Medical Trust, and Krea University are contributing their expertise. International academic support also comes from institutions like Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham.

Experts involved in the programme believe it is a timely intervention. Professor Kamlesh Khunti from the University of Leicester noted that while India is still seen as a young country, it must prepare its healthcare systems for an ageing population. Strengthening care for older adults, especially those at risk of heart disease, is essential for the future.

Dr. Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Executive Director of CCDC, emphasised that the initiative builds on a long-standing collaboration and brings together some of the best institutions to tackle a growing public health challenge.

In the short term, CARDIO-India aims to improve blood pressure control and overall quality of life for older adults. In the long run, it seeks to create a model of community-based, technology-enabled care that can be expanded across India and other similar settings.

As the country moves towards universal health coverage, programmes like CARDIO-India signal a shift in how healthcare is delivered—bringing it closer to people, making it more accessible, and ultimately, more effective.