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Bridging Health Inequities: India's Path to Inclusive Prosperity

  • Writer: Editorial Writer
    Editorial Writer
  • Apr 6, 2024
  • 2 min read

Summary:

India's pursuit of health equity is pivotal for leveraging its demographic dividend and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Addressing the disparity in healthcare access across diverse geographical and socioeconomic landscapes is both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity.


Key Points:

  • Historical Health Advances: Since WHO's 1948 declaration, India has made strides in health equity but faces persistent access disparities.

  • Economic Impact of Health Inequity: McKinsey's report highlights the potential reduction in global GDP due to poor health, emphasizing the economic benefits of health improvement.

  • Life Expectancy's Economic Influence: India's increasing life expectancy, up to 67.7 years in 2022 from 62.7 in 2021, correlates with substantial GDP per capita growth.

  • Challenges to Health Equity: Issues include unequal resource distribution, limited access to quality services, and high out-of-pocket expenses, contributing to financial strain for many.

  • Demographic Dividend Opportunity: India's young population presents a unique advantage for economic growth, contingent on achieving health equity.

  • Aging Population Concerns: The expected doubling of the elderly population by 2050 underscores the need for robust healthcare infrastructure to maintain health equity.


Additional Insights:

  • Priority Areas for Action: Enhancing rural healthcare, improving public service quality, expanding insurance coverage, and promoting preventive healthcare are critical.

  • Technology as a Catalyst: Digital health initiatives, including telemedicine, can bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide.

  • Strengthening National Health Programs: Further reinforcing Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission is essential for comprehensive healthcare access.

  • Addressing the Elderly Healthcare Needs: Preparing for the increasing elderly population is crucial to prevent future strains on healthcare infrastructure.


Keywords Explained:

  • Health Equity: Ensuring equal access to healthcare services for all individuals, irrespective of their economic or social conditions.

  • Demographic Dividend: The economic growth potential that arises from a larger proportion of working-age population relative to dependents.

  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses (OOPE): Direct payments made by individuals for healthcare services, which can lead to financial hardship.

Published in : The Economic Times

Date appeared in newspaper : 06 April 2024


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