Study flags access to health care concerns for elderly

THOSE AGED OVER 60 HAVE TO TRAVEL AN AVG DISTANCE OF 43.62KM FOR HOSPITALISATION AND 14.54KM FOR OUTPATIENT CARE IN THE COUNTRY

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI: Older adults in the country travel an average distance of 43.62km for hospitalization and 14.54km for outpatient care, according to a recent study that highlights how physical distance adversely impacts overall health care delivery and health-seeking behaviours.

In addition, nearly two-thirds (67%) of the older adults in urban India availed themselves of outpatient care within 10km as opposed to 28.3km for people in rural and remote areas, displaying a significant urban-rural disparity.

Older adults are defined as individuals above the age of 60.

The authors said this disparity grew disproportionately for in-patient care where the distance and time taken were two times higher for rural sexagenarians than their urban counterparts. "For in-patient admission, 95% arranged their own mode of transport, while 5% used ambulance services, with no significant urban-rural difference," the study said.

The study titled "Miles to go before I seek: distance to the health facility and health care use among older adults in India" has been published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia.