Regional Inequalities of Land associated to Health Facilities in Rural India

Abstract

Rural population is often considered as a homogeneous population. The wide diversity among rural population is often ignored when health related issues are considered. The study emphasizes that heterogeneous composition of rural population leads to improper implementation of rural health facilities, which in turn leads to poor health conditions. It is argued that wide divergences in rural sector should be understood to roll out any such policy for the rural sector in particular. This paper attempts to show how heterogeneity in rural population affects the health status. The burden of disease and its effects are disproportionately seen in the poor, with a clear gradient in illness and morbidity. The most affected are the poor and vulnerable section of the population. The privileged section in rural society is termed as ‘Rural elite’. Attempts have been made to define rural elites in terms of ownership of better facilities and endowments (like land). It is argued that the elites enjoy health facilities and have better health conditions. On the contrary, health status of rural poor is abysmal. The objective of the study is to explore the disparities between these two groups and examine how these disparities affect health conditions. The study reveals that the incidence of selective diseases is much lower in the case of rural elites. Despite progress in improving access to health care, inequalities by socioeconomic status continue to persist.