The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases is on a rising trend among the tribal population. Tribal populations are one of the most vulnerable communities to these diseases. It is, therefore, important to understand the current scenario of health in general and, more specifically, in relation to the noncommunicable disease among the tribal population. The role of sociocultural and economic changes in health also needs to be understood to evaluate the main reasons for the increase in non-communicable diseases. The study explores the cultural dimensions of the health and healthcare practice of the Gond and Kolam communities with respect to non-communicable diseases. The study has used ethnographic field-oriented data collection from the Adilabad district of Telangana state, which is also an aspirational district. The in-depth interviews with identified patients, ethnomedicinal practitioners, village heads, and health workers have helped to understand the role of socio-cultural and economic aspects of the community. It further helped to understand some of the factors and barriers, such as lack of awareness, poor access and acceptance to modern medicines for these diseases, and the role of culture in shopping of treatments in preventing and seeking care for non-communicable diseases. The changes in their socio-cultural and food pattern had the main role in the increasing cases of non-communicable diseases among the tribal population. The role of indigenous medicines has an important role to play among the populations for all sorts of treatment selection. The access and availability of modern medicine to the tribal community also play a key role in the treatment of non-communicable diseases. Timely diagnosis and follow-ups are compulsory in the treatment process of these diseases as high motivation and counseling are needed for the same for the tribal communities.
