Health Status of Elderly in India: Evidence from a Large Survey Dataset

Population ageing is emerging as one of the most pressing economic, social and public policy challenges that India is facing today. However, few attempts have been made to analyze the determinants of elderly health. In this study, the factors affecting elderly health in India are examined, using data from a large nationally representative survey conducted in 2004 by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) of India. The determinants of four interrelated but distinct measures of health --self-reported perceived health, physical disability, chronic health, and physical mobility -- are explored using regression analysis. The results show the relative importance of various determinants varies across the four dimensions of health. Large health inequalities among various social and religious groups of elderly population are documented.

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