Heart Attacks and Cancer Remain Leading Causes of Death in Mumbai

Heart attacks and cancer continue to be the leading causes of death in Mumbai, according to mortality data recorded across city health facilities. The figures show consistent trends over recent years, with non-communicable diseases accounting for a significant share of fatalities alongside infectious illnesses like tuberculosis.

Cancer deaths in Mumbai approached the 10,000 mark in 2023, with 9,978 fatalities recorded, up from 9,887 in 2022 and 9,085 in 2021. Heart attacks remained the single largest specific cause among non-communicable diseases, accounting for 16,805 deaths in 2023, a provisional 16,805 in 2024, 17,143 in 2022, and 17,387 in 2021.

Other non-communicable conditions also claimed numerous lives. Kidney failure deaths rose steadily, from 1,638 in 2021 to 1,838 in 2022 and 2,121 in 2023. Brain strokes were linked to 1,649 deaths in 2021 and a provisional 1,726 deaths in 2024. Liver failure caused 246 deaths in 2021 and 376 in 2024, while alcohol-related conditions accounted for 303 deaths in 2023 and a provisional 303 in 2024.

Among infectious diseases, tuberculosis claimed 2,418 lives in 2023 and a provisional 2,671 in 2024, compared to 3,367 in 2022 and 3,269 in 2021. HIV/AIDS fatalities stood at 979 in 2023 and a provisional 954 in 2024, following 984 in 2022 and 1,259 in 2021.

The broader classification labelled "Any other disease" accounted for more than 50,000 deaths annually, covering a wide range of causes including ageing and normal deaths. Head injuries, frequently connected to road accidents, and burn injuries also accounted for hundreds of fatalities each year.

Dr Daksha Shah, Executive Health Officer with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Health Department, noted that the data incorporates reports from numerous health facilities across the city, including private hospitals. She stated that data for 2024 and 2025 is raw information received directly from physicians and requires verification by death audit committees, particularly for infectious diseases.