Research paper
Socio-economic Inequalities in Burden of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases among Older Adults in India: Evidence from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017–18
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Research Question
This paper investigates how socio-economic status influences the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases among older adults in India. Using nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, it examines how wealth, education, caste, gender and place of residence shape patterns of disease and health inequality in later life.
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01Wealth Does Not Protect Against Every Disease in Old AgeSocio-economic advantage does not reduce the risk of all diseases in later life. While wealth is generally associated with lower rates of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases are often more prevalent among wealthier older adults, reflecting differences in lifestyle, longevity and disease detection.02Different Diseases Have Different Drivers of Health InequalityHealth inequality cannot be explained by socio-economic status alone. Different diseases are influenced by different combinations of income, education, gender, caste and place of residence, making a single explanation for health disparities insufficient.03India Must Address Two Disease Burdens at the Same TimeIndia's ageing population faces a dual burden of disease. Communicable diseases remain a significant challenge while non-communicable diseases continue to rise, requiring health systems to address both simultaneously rather than shifting attention from one to the other.04Where You Live Shapes Health Inequality in Later LifePlace of residence influences health outcomes in later life by affecting access to healthcare, living conditions and exposure to disease. Health inequalities among older adults therefore reflect not only individual socio-economic circumstances but also the environments in which people live.