Socioeconomic Inequalities in Healthy Ageing in Different Regions of India: Evidence from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, Wave 1

Abstract

The present study investigates the socioeconomic inequality and determinants of healthy ageing in different regions of India using the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave 1 (2017–2018). This study developed an individual-level healthy ageing score (HAS) by incorporating 53 variables suggested by the expert committee of the WHO on healthy ageing. Income, wealth and education inequality are measured using the indirectly adjusted concentration index (CI). The multiple linear regression estimates the socioeconomic, demographic and behavioural determinants. It has been found that the mean HAS in India is 72.57; it is highest in the North-east and lowest in South India. The CI indicated socioeconomic inequality in healthy ageing in India, favouring high-income, wealthy and educated elders across the region. The regression shows that older adults who are relatively young, male, rich and living in urban areas are more likely to be healthy than their counterparts. It is also found that the habit of smoking, physical inactivity and prevalence of chronic diseases are significantly associated with a low HAS in India.