Top 10 Deadliest Diseases in 2025

The recent life-threatening pandemic claimed thousands of lives. But do you think it caused the maximum number of deaths in the world? If yes the You couldn’t be more wrong. The coronavirus, with all its horror, couldn’t even be considered as one of the top 10 deadliest diseases in the world. And if we believe the statistics provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 74% of all the diseases taking lives worldwide aren’t even communicable. Surprising, isn’t it?

The recent health crises and high mortality rates are the biggest concerns of the world. There is no one deadliest disease in the world, rather, there are many diseases that can prove to be fatal. The rapidly increasing number of deaths among the working population and children all across the globe has brought the world to a standstill. With the rapid change in our lifestyles, we are neglecting the real quality of life. The want for quantity has replaced the necessity of quality. It’s about time we start choosing options that cater to a more sustainable living. 

We are sure even you feel insecure when it comes to your and your family’s health and wellness. This is why it is all the more essential to be aware of the top critical illnesses in 2021. Below are the ten most dangerous ones:

Top 10 Deadliest Diseases in 2023

1. Cancer

Unfortunately, the first one of the top 10 deadliest diseases of recent times is cancer. You can imagine its severity from the fact provided by WHO that it caused around 10 million deaths during the past year. The abnormally growing cancer cells could be found in any of the human body organs like breasts, lungs, stomach, liver, colon, and rectum.  There are various underlying risk factors for the occurrence of this unfortunate disease;

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• Low fruit and vegetable intake
• Low physical activity

Cancer occurs in a multi-stage form. It grows from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour. It usually either happens due to genetic factors or three categories of external agents;

• Physical Carcinogens: Ultraviolet and ionising radiation
• Chemical Carcinogens: Asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, and alcohol
• Biological Carcinogens: Infections which occur due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites

Though the authorities are constantly striving to treat the patients even at their advanced stages, cancer remains a threat to be aware of!

2. Heart attack

Nearly everyone is at risk of suffering a heart attack, which is related to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). This contributes to about 17.9 million deaths each year (as per the survey provided by WHO) which is massive. The fact that it occurs in individuals under the age of 70 makes it even more serious.  A heart attack happens due to various heart and blood vessel disorders, like a coronary artery spasms, various infections, and spontaneous coronary dissection(SCAD). The various risk factors for heart disease include metabolic syndrome, stress, illegal drug use, extreme tobacco, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, unhealthy lifestyle, and even the lack of physical activity.

3. Stroke

As per the reports provided by World Stroke Organization, more than 13 million individuals suffer from stroke each year, out of which nearly 5.5 million die and the rest suffer from long-lasting brain damage or long-term disability. The condition—wherein the blood supply is obstructed from reaching the brain due to the lack of oxygen, some serious accidents or clotting—is certainly a threat to human life. There are two types of stroke. One is Ischemic stroke, which occurs due to blood clots or particles blocking the blood vessels of the brain. The other type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs due to a rupturing of a blood vessel or when blood starts leaking from an artery. There is another type known as the transient ischemic attack, which is also called a mini-stroke, wherein the blood flow blocks for a short while. However, it is a warning sign and is as fatal as the other types.  While not all cases of stroke lead to death, its severe after-effects, including paralysis, speech impairment, and memory loss, indicate the seriousness of this disease.

4. Permanent paralysis of limbs

Tetraplegia, a serious condition leading to permanent paralysis of limbs, is another severe illness adding to the fastest-growing death rates in the world. The basic cause of the irreversible paralysis of the limbs is the damage that happens to the spinal cord. It might be due to an accident, fall, or simply a gunshot injury. There are various types of paralysis like Monoplegia, Hemiplegia, Triplegia, and Quadriparesis. Those suffering from tetraplegia rarely get back to normal or survive even after the best medical care. Nevertheless, there are a few treatments that can help in curbing symptoms and reduce the risk of any other complications. Physical therapy and medications are some of them. However, in such critical situations, an active health insurance policy may be quite beneficial in managing hospital expenses conveniently.

5. Kidney failure

One of the major reasons for the world's rising mortality rate is critical kidney disease (CKD). Your kidneys purify your blood and throw away the toxins from the body. However, if they stop performing this function, the body observes many serious health problems, such as anaemia, increased infections, strokes, heart attacks and even psychological issues. Various signs that your kidneys are not functioning properly are fatigue, nausea, increased frequency of peeing, swelling or oedema. The various underlying causes include diabetes, high blood pressure, and acute kidney injuries. Around 2 million people across the globe are affected by kidney failure. Prompt, good medical help, however, can save you from this severe condition. At the same time, choosing a  critical illness insurance plan will also be beneficial, as it will help you manage hospitalisation expenses. 

6. Liver and lung disease

Around 46% of the recent deaths in the world happened due to critical liver complications. (As per a study performed by Hep magazine.) An unhealthy lifestyle and excessive alcohol consumption damage these two vital body organs. Other reasons for the occurrence of liver and lung diseases are obesity, type 2 diabetes, shared needles, genetics, smoking and many more. Lung diseases, either in the form of tuberculosis, cancer, or pulmonary hypertension, have the power to take your life within a few months. Even liver problems, including hepatitis and cirrhosis, can have serious and deadly results on your body.

7. Bacterial meningitis

Among the most unfortunate and dangerous diseases, bacterial meningitis mostly affects infants or young children, causing death in extreme conditions. Around 1.2 million cases of bacterial meningitis are reported every year around the world. Many medical experts consider this disease quite severe because it may kill the patient within hours of being diagnosed. Even if the patient survives after receiving adequate treatment, the person often suffers from hearing loss, brain damage, and learning disabilities. The different types of bacteria that can cause meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitis, Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. Though this infection or spread of meningitis can be prevented with vaccination, immediate treatment must be carried out once it is detected. There are various symptoms that indicate the sudden onset of meningitis, for instance, fever, headache, stiff neck etc.

8. Fulminant viral hepatitis

Most of us have developed the habit of taking painkiller pills as soon as we get a headache or backache. But do you know this can lead to hepatitis, a deadly disease?  Well, an overdose of any medicine and especially acetaminophen, which is present in almost all painkillers, causes liver failure, which is the most common complication of hepatitis. The damage usually occurs within weeks. Out of the various types of it, fulminant viral hepatitis is the deadliest, causing major deaths within a short span of time. The symptoms of fulminant viral hepatitis are yellowing of your skin or eyeballs, sleepiness, bleeding or bruising easily. This is caused by infections most commonly seen in people from lower socioeconomic classes who don’t even have active health insurance to cover the cost of the treatment.

9. Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anaemia is a condition wherein the body stops producing enough new blood cells. It can be a dangerous disease as it impacts the body's circulation and the regular functioning of other organs. It can develop at any age, underlying causes being several, like radiation and chemotherapy treatments, exposure to toxic chemicals, and viral infection.  The symptoms for the same include fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart rate, pale skin, frequent or prolonged infections and many more. Though you can save the patient by providing adequate medical care within the early stages of diagnosis, it can still prove fatal.

10. Major organ/bone marrow transplant

As medicinal science advances, the number of organ and bone marrow transplants is increasing. But, there are various side effects of such transplants like infections, bleeding and transfusions, interstitial pneumonitis and other lung problems. All these make transplants something that can prove to be fatal. If the organs face infections within the early days of transplant, the chances of death are very high. Do you know what makes it so deadly? The fact that the severity of the condition cannot be diagnosed until it is too late! 

We understand that these diseases are frightening, but the future is unpredictable. That is why staying aware of the seriousness of the issue and being prepared are the keys to overcoming these hardships of life. If you choose the best health insurance policy to cover such severe medical conditions, you won’t have to compromise on the medication assistance you require. That is when the Niva Bupa Critical Illness Plan steps in. The plan's major benefits are:

• Covers 20 critical diseases
• Provides you with the flexibility to choose either a 2- or 3-year plan.
• Covers up to ₹2 crores of expenditure.
• Provides maximum savings on taxes.
• Premium starts at just ₹12,521 for a year

After going through all these health insurance benefits and realising how these plans can prove quite beneficial for those battling some of the deadliest diseases, we are sure you will pick the most suitable one for yourself and your family if you haven't already.