Does Access to Basic Amenities Influence Health Status? Evidence from a Household Survey in Three States of India

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDH) are extremely important for a developing country like India that is battling a double burden of disease with exceptionally low levels of resources allocated for the health sector. This article adds to the evidence on the linkages between health status and SDH, with special focus on basic amenities, such as housing, water and sanitation. Based on data collected through a large sample household survey covering eight districts in three states of India, the study reports the status of basic amenities, disease burden and explores a link between the two. The study finds that access to basic amenities does affect the likelihood of a communicable disease in a statistically significant manner. The policy implication is that any successful communicable disease prevention agenda must take into account cross-cutting interventions involving multiple sectors, such as housing, water and sanitation. A sustained focus on these can rein in a lot of avoidable morbidity and mortality. In addition, it also has the potential for direct and indirect cost savings for the individual as well as the state.