Assessing the adequacy of health facilities for the aging population in Indian cities
India, a developing country and currently the most populous nation, has been experiencing a rapid and unpredictable increase in the proportion of its older population. The healthcare system is already struggling to meet the needs of the current population, and the rising number of older adults is expected to further strain resources. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of the older population in Indian cities and their access to advanced health facilities. The study uses data from Census of India, 2011, which is the latest census data available. A Health Facilities Index was developed to assess the availability of health facilities, and a geospatial approach was adopted to determine aging patterns and access to health facilities across cities. Despite similar aging trends, health infrastructure was unevenly distributed across cities. The study revealed that advanced health facilities were concentrated in specific areas, primarily metropolitan cities, whereas smaller cities lacked adequate health facilities and accessibility. Therefore, improving health infrastructure in smaller cities to match that in larger ones should be prioritized. The findings highlight a notable infrastructure gap in Indian cities, which presents a significant challenge to achieving healthy aging in the country.
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