Latest news with #LongitudinalAgeingStudyofIndia
India Today
25-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
Elderly Indians travel 14.5 km on average to see a doctor: Lancet study
Older adults in several parts of India travel about 14.5 km to visit a doctor for routine check-ups (outpatient care) and nearly 44 km when they need to be admitted to a hospital (inpatient care), according to a new Lancet India's population ages rapidly, the study by the country's top medical research agency highlighted how older adults in the country are struggling to access basic healthcare services, mainly because health facilities are too far number of people aged 60 and above in India has grown from 7.4% of the population in 2001 to a projected 13.2% by 2031. That's roughly 138 million older adults today, nearly half of whom live with chronic illnesses that need ongoing medical care. As people age, they typically need to see doctors more often, not just for check-ups but for urgent issues too. But for many older Indians, especially those living in rural or remote regions, reaching a doctor is a challenge in from the Indian Council of Medical Research used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (2017–18), which covered over 31,000 older adults, to understand how far they travel for healthcare. The number of people aged 60 and above in India has grown from 7.4% of the population in 2001 to a projected 13.2% by 2031. () advertisementThe study revealed that rural seniors had to travel around 28 km for even basic check-ups, while urban seniors usually found help within 10 gap becomes even wider when it comes to hospital stays, with elderly people in rural areas travelling almost twice as far as those in urban areas. When it comes to getting to the hospital, most of them, about 95%, use their own transport, and only 5% use ambulances, regardless of where they hospitals or clinics were within 10 km, 73% used outpatient care and 40% accessed inpatient when the distance was over 30 km, outpatient visits dropped to just 10%.Outpatient services refer to medical care or treatment that does not require a person to stay in a hospital. This includes regular check-ups, consultations with doctors, diagnostic tests, or minor procedures, after which the patient can go home the same contrast, inpatient services involve admission to a hospital for at least one night or longer. This is usually needed for surgeries, serious illnesses, or when a person requires continuous monitoring or some groups, like older women, those with less education, low income, or living alone, the drop was even more significant. According to the United Nations Population Fund, India's elderly population is projected to reach 20% of the total population by 2050, with women constituting a major share of those living alone. India's elderly population is projected to reach 20% of the total population by 2050, with women constituting a major share of those living alone. () Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the non-profit organisation Population Foundation of India, who was not involved in the study, commented that since women in this group are "doubly disadvantaged" not only by age, but also by gender, income, and isolation, community health workers must be empowered to regularly check in on such individuals."Health systems must collect and respond to data disaggregated by gender, age, and socio-economic status," Muttreja told India Today situation is worse in hilly states and remote regions. In Nagaland, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh, over a third of older adults had to travel more than 60 km for inpatient distance, Muttreja pointed out, impacts the health of the elderly, particularly for those who suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. In Nagaland, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh, over a third of older adults had to travel more than 60 km for inpatient care. () advertisement"Delayed treatment leads to complications, hospitalisations, and unnecessary suffering. For elderly women, people living alone, and those from lower-income households, the impact is compounded by limited mobility, financial constraints, and social isolation. When care is distant and difficult to reach, many are forced to choose between their health and their survival needs," she in union territories like Jammu & Kashmir and Lakshadweep, access to nearby care is extremely limited. The study suggested that India urgently needs better transport support for older people, especially in rural areas. When care is distant and difficult to reach, many are forced to choose between their health and their survival needs. () advertisementSimple solutions like community transport services, mobile health vans, and home-based care could make a big difference. Muttreja added that focussing on secondary-level healthcare could also help reduce the distance."Investments in physical infrastructure are fine, but robust human resource policies such as offering incentives for rural service, upgrading medical colleges in smaller cities, and enabling telehealth linkages between primary health centres and district hospitals can address such challenges," she study suggested that local health centres under Ayushman Arogya Mandir (government-owned healthcare facility centres) should be strengthened as they could also help reduce the need for long-distance travel, making healthcare more inclusive for India's ageing population.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Senior citizens in India grapple with long distances to health facilities, study finds
Even within a universal healthcare system, there continue to remain marked disparities in access to care among older adults, with distance to healthcare facility posing a critical barrier, said a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia titled 'Miles to go before I seek: distance to the health facility and health care use among older adults in India'. It further noted that ensuring availability of health services within reach and reducing geographical barriers are paramount towards ensuring an equitable and inclusive healthcare system where no one is left behind. The study points out that while a lot of research has explored financial constraints and health literacy as barriers to healthcare access, there is limited evidence on how physical distance impacts healthcare utilisation and health-seeking behaviours in older adults in India. For this paper, researchers used the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) (Wave-1, 2017–18) consisting of 31,902 older adults' data to analyse the average distance travelled by older adults for their routine and acute healthcare needs and concomitant healthcare utilisation through an equity lens. Distances travelled In India, access to healthcare is often restricted by factors including availability of local health services, financial constraints, low health literacy, and inadequate family or social support systems. India, home to 138 million older adults, is witnessing a rapid demographic transition, with the proportion of the population aged 60 and above increasing from 7.4% in 2001 to a projected 13.2% in 2031. Nearly half of these populations have multiple long-term or debilitating conditions that demand continuous and coordinated health care. The study notes that older adults, on an average, travelled a distance of 14.54 km to seek outpatient services and 43.62 km for inpatient care respectively. For two-thirds (67%) of urban older adults, the availed outpatient facility was within 10 km of reach, while for their rural counterparts, it was 28.3 km, revealing a significant urban-rural disparity. This grew disproportionately for in-patient care, where the distance and time taken was two times higher for rural sexagenarians compared to their urban counterparts. For in-patient admission, 95 per cent arranged their own mode of transport, while 5 per cent used ambulance services, with no significant urban-rural difference. Further both out-patient and in-patient care utilisation was high (73% and 40% respectively) when the facility distance was within 10 km. As the distance increased, a commensurate decline in the out-patient utilisation was observed, being 17% and 10% for facilities at 11–30 km and 30 km or more respectively. Additionally, for women, those living alone, and those with low education and income, this decline was more pronounced. Around 19% of rural older adults had to travel at least 60 km to avail of in-patient care. The situation was similar for urban dwellers with 10% travelling at least 60 km for in-patient care. Risk of adverse outcomes Long travel times and distant facilities act as a potential barrier to receiving timely and essential healthcare for this population which could posit high risk of adverse outcomes, warned the study adding that addressing transportation barriers could be a key strategy to improve access to care among the geriatric population, especially those residing in rural areas. 'Various studies have shown that interventions aimed at minimising transportation barriers among low-income, remote and older populations not only improves access to medical care but patient outcome as well, while being cost-efficient. Future research must develop and demonstrate how community-based transport service can be embedded within as a model for implementation for geriatric care. Given the rising number of ageing populations who are home-bound, a shift from clinic-based out-patient care to home-based primary care merits consideration through a mix of mobile medical van, digital healthcare and inclusive social support,'' recommends the study. It adds that there is a need to design and formulate strategies on how existing Ayushman Arogya Mandir (community-based primary care centres) can be strengthened to meet the comprehensive healthcare needs of growing geriatric population.
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First Post
22-04-2025
- Health
- First Post
How far is my hospital? In India, it's 15 kms for OPD, 44 kms for admission
Estimates published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia journal showed a significant urban-rural disparity – urban older adults availed out-patient facilities within 10 kilometres of reach, while the distance was nearly 30 kilometres for their rural counterparts. read more Older adults in India are travelling considerable distances to access healthcare, with some commuting up to 15 kilometres for outpatient visits and nearly 44 kilometres for hospitalisation, according to new research. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia, highlights sharp urban-rural disparities in healthcare access. While seniors in urban areas typically accessed outpatient services within 10 kilometres, their rural counterparts had to travel nearly three times as far, the researchers found. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The findings are based on data from nearly 32,000 individuals aged 60 and above, surveyed during the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) in 2017-2018. India's elderly population, currently estimated at 138 million, is projected to rise from 7.4% of the total population in 2001 to 13.2% by 2031. The study also noted that proximity plays a critical role in healthcare usage: 73% of older adults accessed outpatient services and 40% used inpatient care when facilities were located within 10 kilometres. However, with an increase in commute distance, a commensurate decline in the use of out-patient services was found – 17 per cent utilisation of facilities for 11-30 kilometres distance, and 10 per cent for 30 kilometres and above, respectively. A longer commute and far placed facility is a barrier for receiving timely, essential healthcare for people in this age group, often seen grappling with multiple long-term, debilitating conditions requiring continuous care, the team said. They wrote, 'Older adults, on an average travelled a distance of nine miles (14.54 kilometres) to seek outpatient services and 27 miles (43.62 kilometres) for inpatient care respectively.' State-wise, Tripura, Manipur and Kerala, had the highest in-patient and outpatient visits within 10 kilometres – over 80 per cent, 75 per cent and 59 per cent of older adults availed in-patient services, respectively, while 88 per cent, 78 per cent and 84 per cent availed out-patient ones, respectively STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD .The authors attributed Kerala's high rates to 'easy access and better availability of infrastructure'. In Manipur and Tripura, it may be because people rely on nearby facilities during emergency in-patient situations, they said. Hilly states such as Nagaland, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh could pose geographical challenges as zero per cent, 17 per cent and about five per cent of older adults in these areas made in-patient visits within 10 kilometres, the study found. Further, in northeastern states, such as Mizoram and Nagaland, a higher percentage of older adults were found to travel more than 60 kilometres to access in-patient and out-patient services, indicating a poor and limited access to nearby facilities. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh showed a moderate proximity of 11-60 kilometres for older adults accessing out-patient care, but a higher share of in-patient visits at distances beyond 30 kilometres. The authors added that less variability in commute distance among southern states indicated a well-distributed healthcare infrastructure. For an equitable and inclusive healthcare system in India, improving access to services and reducing geographical barriers are paramount, the team said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Elderly travel up to 44km to get hospitalised: Lancet
New Delhi: An elderly person in India must commute up to 15 km to avail out-patient services, and almost 44 km for in-patient care requiring hospitalisation, claims a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health- Southeast Asia. Researchers analysed data of nearly 32,000 older adults, aged 60 and above, collected during the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) in 2017-2018 and found there was a significant urban-rural disparity also with the urban older adults availing out-patient facilities within 10 km of reach, while the distance was nearly 30 km for their rural counterparts. According to the Lancet study, rates of availing both out-patient and in-patient services were found to be high - 73% and 40%, respectively - when a facility was within 10 km of reach. However, with an increase in commute distance, a commensurate decline in the use of out-patient services was found - 17% utilisation of facilities for 11-30 km distance, and 10% for 30 km and above, respectively, it adds. A longer commute and far-away facility is a barrier for receiving timely, essential healthcare for people in this age group, often seen grappling with multiple long-term, debilitating conditions requiring continuous care, the research team said. They wrote, "Older adults, on an average, travelled a distance of nine miles (14.5 kilometres) to seek outpatient services and 27 miles (43.6 kilometres) for inpatient care respectively." State-wise, Tripura, Manipur and Kerala, had the highest in-patient and outpatient visits within 10 km - over 80%, 75% and 59% of older adults availed in-patient services, respectively, while 88%, 78% and 84% availed out-patient ones, respectively. The authors attributed Kerala's high rates to "easy access and better availability of infrastructure". In Manipur and Tripura, it may be because people rely on nearby facilities during emergency in-patient situations, they said. Hilly states such as Nagaland, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh could pose geographical challenges as 0%, 17% and about 5%of older adults in these areas made in-patient visits within 10 km, the study found. Further, in northeastern states, such as Mizoram and Nagaland, a higher percentage of older adults were found to travel more than 60 km to access in-patient and out-patient services, indicating a poor and limited access to nearby facilities. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh showed a moderate proximity of 11-60 km for older adults accessing out-patient care, but a higher share of in-patient visits at distances beyond 30 km.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Study underscores health care access concerns for elderly
Older adults in the country travel an average distance of 43.62km for hospitalisation and 14.54km for outpatient care, according to a recent study that highlights how physical distance adversely impacts overall health care delivery and health-seeking behaviours. In addition, nearly two thirds (67%) of the older adults in urban India availed themselves of outpatient care within 10km as opposed to 28.3km for people in rural and remote areas, displaying a significant urban-rural disparity. Older adults are defined as individuals above the age of 60. The authors said this disparity grew disproportionately for in-patient care where the distance and time taken were two times higher for rural sexagenarian than their urban counterparts. 'For in-patient admission, 95% arranged their own mode of transport, while 5% used ambulance services, with no significant urban-rural difference,' the study said. The study titled 'Miles to go before I seek: distance to the health facility and health care use among older adults in India' has been published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia. The authors used the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) (Wave-1, 2017-18) consisting of 31,902 older adults' data to analyse the average distance travelled by older adults for their routine and acute health care needs. According to the paper, India is home to 138 million older adults, and is witnessing a rapid demographic transition, with the proportion of the population aged 60 and above increasing from 7.4% in 2001 to a projected 13.2% in 2031. Nearly half of these people have multiple long-term or debilitating conditions that demands continuous and coordinated health care. '…the complexity of health care requirements increases as individuals age, necessitating frequent and urgent medical attention. However, access to such care is often restricted by factors such as the availability of local health services, financial constraints, low health literacy, and inadequate family or social support systems…,' said the authors in the paper. Both out-patient and in-patient care utilisation was high (73% and 40% respectively) when the distance was within 10km. However, with an increase in distance, a commensurate decline in the out-patient utilisation was observed, being 17% and 10% for facilities at a distance of 11-30km and 30km or more respectively, said the paper. Additionally, for women, those living alone, and with low education and income, this decline was more pronounced. Around 19% of rural older adults had to travel at least 60km to avail in-patient care. The situation was similar for urban dwellers with 10% travelling at least 60km for in-patient care. Among states, Tripura (80.4%), Manipur (70.4%), and Kerala (59%) had more inpatient visits within 0-10km. While in Kerala, the authors attribute it to easy access and better availability of health infrastructure, in Manipur and Tripura, they said, it may be because people rely on nearby facilities during emergency inpatient situations. 'Potential geographical challenges are also evident in hilly states like Nagaland (0%), Sikkim (17.6%), and Himachal Pradesh (4.5%) which show fewer inpatient visits within 0-10 km. Moreover, higher percentages of inpatient visits at distances over 61km in the state of Mizoram (51%), Nagaland (21.5%), and Himachal Pradesh (38.5%), indicating poor and limited accessibility to nearby health facilities. The majority outpatient visits are within 0-10km in most states, with the highest in Tripura (87.9%), Kerala (83.7%) and Manipur (78.4%).' Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh show moderate proximity (11-60km) for outpatient care but higher share of inpatient visits at distances beyond 30km. The less variability in distance among southern states indicates well-distributed health care infrastructure, they said. 'Our analysis demonstrated significant variations in health facility distance and the implied travel burden among older adults. Longer travel time and farther facility act as a potential barrier for receiving timely and essential health care for this population which could posit higher risk of adverse outcomes,' they added. As a potential solution, authors suggest addressing transportation barriers. 'Various studies have shown that interventions aimed at minimising transportation barriers among low-income, remote and older population not only improves access to medical care but patient outcome as well, while being cost-efficient,' they said.
