Children are the worst affected by India’s worsening air pollution crisis, accounting for 43 per cent of all pollution-linked health insurance claims, according to a recent report by Policybazaar. The report warned that children under the age of 10 are five times more affected than any other age group, underscoring the disproportionate health burden on young lives.
The study found that adults aged 31–40 years made up 14 per cent of such claims, while senior citizens above 60 years accounted for only 7 per cent, indicating that younger, more outdoor-active populations are increasingly vulnerable.
Pollution-related ailments now constitute 8 per cent of total hospitalisation claims, with respiratory and cardiac issues driving much of the increase. Delhi reported the highest number of such claims, followed by Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Tier-2 cities including Jaipur, Lucknow, and Indore also showed a rising trend, suggesting that the health impact of air pollution is extending beyond metropolitan areas.
The report cautioned that air pollution has evolved from an environmental concern into a public health emergency, with the average health insurance claim related to pollution costing ₹55,000, and hospital expenses averaging ₹19,000 per day. Treatment costs have surged by 11 per cent over the past year.
A clear seasonal spike was observed around the Diwali period, with post-Diwali claims rising 14 per cent compared to pre-festival levels, mirroring sharp declines in air quality due to stubble burning, fireworks, and stagnant winter air. In September 2025 alone, 9 per cent of all hospitalisation claims were tied to pollution-related ailments, including respiratory infections, cardiac complications, and skin or eye allergies.
Over the past four years, pollution-linked claims have steadily risen from 6.4 per cent pre-Diwali 2022 to 9 per cent post-Diwali 2025, reflecting a growing national health burden.
Beyond respiratory illnesses, the report revealed that air pollution affects multiple organ systems, with claims linked to asthma, COPD, arrhythmia, hypertension, eczema, conjunctivitis, pregnancy complications, and sinus-related allergies.
As India grapples with another smog-filled winter, the findings underscore the urgent need for stronger policy interventions to curb air pollution and protect vulnerable populations—especially children—from its escalating health toll.