Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the Phenome National Conclave on Longitudinal Cohort Studies: Cohort Connect 2025 at CSIR–Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, on 13 November 2025. Cohort Connect is positioned as India’s largest evidence-driven initiative aimed at understanding the genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors influencing disease patterns across the population.
In his address, Dr. Singh noted the importance of this scientific dialogue taking place on the eve of World Diabetes Day, as metabolic disorders such as diabetes continue to rise sharply and pose a major public health challenge. He emphasized that diabetes is no longer just a clinical condition but a complex disorder associated with vascular, neurological, and renal complications, making large-scale scientific research essential for informed national health planning.
Highlighting the urgent need for Indian data to drive Indian solutions, Dr. Singh stated that addressing diabetes and other metabolic diseases requires long-term, population-specific evidence. He pointed out that Type-2 diabetes, once concentrated in southern parts of the country, has now become widespread across India due to lifestyle and environmental shifts. The coexistence of communicable and non-communicable diseases—and the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and infections like tuberculosis—necessitates integrated and coordinated policy interventions.
Dr. Singh underscored that India’s unique phenotypic characteristics have long been recognized but lacked scientific validation due to limited genomic and epidemiological infrastructure. With national initiatives such as Phenome India and extensive longitudinal cohort studies, the country is now better equipped to map how genetics, diet, environment, and lifestyle influence disease susceptibility among Indians. He added that even Indian-origin populations living abroad for generations continue to display higher vulnerability to metabolic disorders, highlighting the role of inherited biological traits.
Reflecting on global medical evolution—from pre-insulin diabetes management to present-day genetic therapies—Dr. Singh urged caution in adopting emerging treatments without thorough, long-term evidence relevant to Indian populations. He cited the example of refined oils, once promoted as heart-healthy but later linked to rising coronary artery disease rates in India, as a reminder of the need for robust research before public health recommendations are made.
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