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Trends in health and health inequalities among major states of India: assessing progress through convergence models

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2013

Srinivas Goli  and
Perianayagam Arokiasamy
Srinivas Goli*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Development Studies, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Uttar Pradesh, India
Perianayagam Arokiasamy
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Development Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
*
*Correspondence to: Assistant Professor, Department of Development Studies, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Sector ‘0’Aliganj Housing Scheme, Lucknow 226024, Uttar Pradesh, India. Email: sirispeaks2u@gmail.com, Website: http://www.gids.org.in
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Abstract

Convergence in health and health inequalities reflects not only a sense of equity, but also provides a critical assessment tool for monitoring the health progress of differently placed individuals. This study examines convergence hypothesis for health and health inequalities across major Indian states, using both standard and cutting-edge convergence metrics. The findings lend support to the convergence in average health status among the states and the socioeconomic group of India, examined through select health indicators. However, results also suggest a setback in convergence in decline of health inequalities in recent times, particularly in life expectancy at birth, child immunization and underweight. Evidence signals that from the late 1990s, convergence in decline of health inequalities are replaced by emerging divergence. This paper contributes to health policy and planning by identifying areas where, India needs to work to achieve efficiency with equity in health status across geographical divisions and social groups.

Type
Articles
Information
Health Economics, Policy and Law , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 143 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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