Caste Disparities in Health Care Utilization in India

Abstract

Health and healthcare need to be distinguished from each other. Besides health care arrangements, many other factors outside the health sector play a key role in determining the health status of individuals and communities such as standard of living, education and access to basic minimum social services. A number of factors affect the evolution of health care arrangements in a society. They include its cultural understanding of ill health and well-being, the extent of socio-economic disparities, reach of health services, quality and cost of care. Health is a prerequisite for human development and is an essential component for the well-being of mankind. The health problems of any community are influenced by the interplay of various factors including social, economic and political. The study aims to assess the disparities existing in health and health care utilization across different caste groups and examine the factors affecting health care utilization among the SCs/STs as compared to other social groups in India. The National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) has been used for analysis. Bivariate and Decomposition analysis have been carried out to capture the Caste disparities in health and health care utilization in India. To explore the health disparities, we have considered women’s health indicators such as four-plus ANC, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) and for child health, full immunization and low birth weight was considered. Overall, the study concludes that there are caste disparities while unitizing the health care facilities. Therefore, efforts must be put in bringing health equity across different caste groups in India.KeywordsCaste disparitiesImmunizationLow birth weight4+ ANCAdverse pregnancy outcomes