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Inequality of Opportunity in Healthcare Services

In: Predicting Inequality of Opportunity and Poverty in India Using Machine Learning

Author

Listed:
  • Balwant Singh Mehta

    (Institute for Human Development)

  • Ravi Srivastava

    (Institute for Human Development)

  • Siddharth Dhote

    (Institute for Human Development)

Abstract

This chapter studies inequality of opportunity (IOp) in access to health, with especial focus to maternal and child health services in India. It looks at five key services: immunization, institutional delivery, antenatal care, prenatal care, and care from trained professionals. A combined indicator called ‘adequate care’ measures overall access. Using the dissimilarity index and the Human Opportunity Index (HOI), the chapter assesses how fairly these services are distributed, based on NFHS-5 data. The results show high coverage rate for institutional deliveries and trained care, but low access to immunization and antenatal services. Overall, only 26% of women and children receive adequate care. Inequality is mostly due to differences in geography, income, and parents' education. In particular, the districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and nearby areas show low access, while districts in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Jammu & Kashmir perform much better. The study highlights the need for targeted health policies to bridge these regional and social gaps.

Suggested Citation

  • Balwant Singh Mehta & Ravi Srivastava & Siddharth Dhote, 2025. "Inequality of Opportunity in Healthcare Services," India Studies in Business and Economics, in: Predicting Inequality of Opportunity and Poverty in India Using Machine Learning, chapter 0, pages 135-158, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:isbchp:978-981-96-2544-4_6
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-2544-4_6
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