Elderly Indians travel 14.5 km on average to see a doctor: Lancet study
As people age, they typically need to see doctors more often, not just for check-ups but for urgent issues too. But for many older Indians, especially those living in rural or remote regions, reaching a doctor is a challenge in itself.Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (2017–18), which covered over 31,000 older adults, to understand how far they travel for healthcare.
The number of people aged 60 and above in India has grown from 7.4% of the population in 2001 to a projected 13.2% by 2031. ()
advertisementThe study revealed that rural seniors had to travel around 28 km for even basic check-ups, while urban seniors usually found help within 10 km.This gap becomes even wider when it comes to hospital stays, with elderly people in rural areas travelling almost twice as far as those in urban areas. When it comes to getting to the hospital, most of them, about 95%, use their own transport, and only 5% use ambulances, regardless of where they live.When hospitals or clinics were within 10 km, 73% used outpatient care and 40% accessed inpatient services.But when the distance was over 30 km, outpatient visits dropped to just 10%.Outpatient services refer to medical care or treatment that does not require a person to stay in a hospital. This includes regular check-ups, consultations with doctors, diagnostic tests, or minor procedures, after which the patient can go home the same day.In contrast, inpatient services involve admission to a hospital for at least one night or longer. This is usually needed for surgeries, serious illnesses, or when a person requires continuous monitoring or treatment.For some groups, like older women, those with less education, low income, or living alone, the drop was even more significant. According to the United Nations Population Fund, India's elderly population is projected to reach 20% of the total population by 2050, with women constituting a major share of those living alone.
India's elderly population is projected to reach 20% of the total population by 2050, with women constituting a major share of those living alone. ()
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the non-profit organisation Population Foundation of India, who was not involved in the study, commented that since women in this group are "doubly disadvantaged" not only by age, but also by gender, income, and isolation, community health workers must be empowered to regularly check in on such individuals."Health systems must collect and respond to data disaggregated by gender, age, and socio-economic status," Muttreja told India Today Digital.The situation is worse in hilly states and remote regions. In Nagaland, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh, over a third of older adults had to travel more than 60 km for inpatient care.Such distance, Muttreja pointed out, impacts the health of the elderly, particularly for those who suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
In Nagaland, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh, over a third of older adults had to travel more than 60 km for inpatient care. ()
advertisement"Delayed treatment leads to complications, hospitalisations, and unnecessary suffering. For elderly women, people living alone, and those from lower-income households, the impact is compounded by limited mobility, financial constraints, and social isolation. When care is distant and difficult to reach, many are forced to choose between their health and their survival needs," she said.Even in union territories like Jammu & Kashmir and Lakshadweep, access to nearby care is extremely limited. The study suggested that India urgently needs better transport support for older people, especially in rural areas.
When care is distant and difficult to reach, many are forced to choose between their health and their survival needs. ()
advertisementSimple solutions like community transport services, mobile health vans, and home-based care could make a big difference. Muttreja added that focussing on secondary-level healthcare could also help reduce the distance."Investments in physical infrastructure are fine, but robust human resource policies such as offering incentives for rural service, upgrading medical colleges in smaller cities, and enabling telehealth linkages between primary health centres and district hospitals can address such challenges," she said.The study suggested that local health centres under Ayushman Arogya Mandir (government-owned healthcare facility centres) should be strengthened as they could also help reduce the need for long-distance travel, making healthcare more inclusive for India's ageing population.
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