Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health concern among elderly Indians, with socioeconomic disparities influencing disease burden and healthcare access. India’s elderly population is projected to reach 319 million by 2050, making it essential to address these inequalities. Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases contribute significantly to morbidity, particularly among lower-income and less-educated groups. Using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), this study employed the Wagstaff concentration index to quantify NCD inequalities and the Fairlie decomposition technique to assess the contribution of socioeconomic factors. Logistic regression models examined associations between income, education, healthcare access, and NCD occurrence. The Wagstaff concentration index showed a pro-rich distribution of healthcare access, with wealthier elderly receiving better medical care. Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases were more prevalent among the lowest-income quintile (42%, 30%, 28%) than the highest (28%, 19%, 14%). Fairlie decomposition analysis revealed that education accounted for 50% of inequality in NCD prevalence, followed by income (25%) and healthcare access (15%). Lower education and poor financial stability significantly increased NCD risk among disadvantaged groups. Addressing socioeconomic disparities in NCD burden requires policies improving healthcare access, health literacy, and financial protection for lower-income groups. Targeted interventions are crucial to achieving equitable health outcomes for India’s aging population.
Presenters
Soumen BarikSenior Research Scholar, Department of Fertility and Social Demography, International Institute for Population Science, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic and Demographic Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Non-Communicable Diseases, Socioeconomic Disparities, Elderly Health, Healthcare Access, Fairlie Decomposition
