Regional Morbidity Pattern in India: Analysis Based on NSS 60th Round (2004)

This paper aims to explore the regional disparities in the prevalence of reported morbidity in India. Using data on morbidity from the 60th round of National Sample Survey (NSS), 2004, we have calculated prevalence of individual diseases and major disease groups for India and six broad regions, namely, north, central, east, north-east, west and south. The results point to considerable regional heterogeneity both in the morbidity profile and its level. South and west regions have predominance of non-communicable diseases and functional limitations, while north and north-east regions show higher prevalence of communicable diseases. The results also point to the double burden of disease with remarkable prevalence of communicable diseases and relatively higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly among the elderly across the regions.