Social determinants of health: South Indian states need to do more

Opinion By Dr Sylvia Karpagam 03/01/2024 Read the article

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

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This article highlights some indicators from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS) and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS 2019) for the southern states.

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Except for Telangana, the four southern states contribute much of the country’s economic activity. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are among the wealthiest states in the country.

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Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are the fastest-growing economies with abundant natural resources. Kerala scores high on the Human Development Index.

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There is a need to raise the bar on educational inputs in rural areas across all the states assessed.

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In India, currently, married women aged 15 -49 using any method of contraception is 67 percent. Having only married women in this indicator fails to factor in other women.

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Studies in South India have found associations between anaemia and livestock ownership, refined grain consumption, meat consumption, rurality, egg consumption, caste, etc.

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Despite overall better performance in health indicators, the Southern States would do even better if they focused on social determinants.

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