Equity in health -- an overview
Health for the millions 25(2): 2-5
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-8685 PMID: 12295423 Document Number: 523080
This article presents an overview of the current status of health equity in India. India is undergoing health transition leading to improvements in the nation's overall health and fertility indicators. Access and availability of health care resources as well as financial distribution are highly inequitable. The sharp difference between the health status in rural and urban areas is linked with poverty, social status, and disproportionate growth of health infrastructure. Public health services are reported to be inconvenient, unfriendly, and ineffective due to lack of staff or drugs. It did not meet the demands of the people. The inequity affecting the health sector is categorized as social equity, economic equality, political equality, and gender-related equity.