Socio-economic and Demographic Correlates of the Health Status of Older Adults in India: An Analysis of NSS 71st Round Data.

The purpose of this study is to assess the burden and correlates of morbidity and other dimensions (perceived health and physical mobility) of the health status of older adults (defined as those aged 60 and above). We used data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) 71st round for understanding the health status of older adults in India. The NSS 71st round collected data from 65,932 households (36,480 in rural and 29,452 in urban areas). The present analysis is based on data related to 27,245 persons aged 60 and above living in the sample households. Overall, 30% of those aged 60 and above reported that they have morbidity, either chronic or acute. More than one-fifth (22%) rated their health status as poor while 8% are physically immobile. Forty-three percent of older adults have overall poor health status. Multivariate analysis reveals that age, religion, expenditure quintile are significantly associated with poor overall health of the older adults. Given the high proportion of poor overall health status among older adults and their increasing population size, this study indicates the need to strengthen healthcare services as well as the economic and social security programs directed at the welfare of older adults in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]