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Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Original Research

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Utilisation of AYUSH Systems of Medicine in North-East India: Evidence from NSS 79th (2022–2023) Round on AYUSH

  1. Subham Paul Department of Economics, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic inequality in healthcare Utilisation continues despite policy focus on universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3. India's traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine systems are generally termed as AYUSH. AYUSH has been consolidated into the national health policy; however, empirical findings on its distributive equity persist as limited. This study estimates and decomposes socioeconomic inequality in Utilisation of AYUSH systems of medicine among the adult age group 15 to 59 years in North-East India.

Methods: Data were taken from the National Sample Survey (NSS) 79th round on AYUSH. The sample consists of 64,211 individuals aged 15 to 59years in North-East India. Descriptive statistics presented the population profile. The logit regression was applied to estimate the odds of AYUSH Utilisation by socioeconomic variables. The degree and factors of inequality were analyse using the Concentration Index and Wagstaff decomposition (2005).

Results: The logit analysis exhibits that AYUSH Utilisation is associated with age, gender, education, and region-specific economic status. Older adults (45–59 years) and females showed higher odds of Utilisation. The Concentration Index (CI) indicated a significant pro-rich inequality (CI = 0.0211) in AYUSH Utilisation. Decomposition analysis exhibited that around 94 per cent of overall inequality was explained by observed factors. The age, gender and education factors contribute a major part to overall inequality.

Conclusion: Utilisation of AYUSH healthcare in North-East India remains socially unequal, with preference for affluent classes. To achieve equity, supply-side measures should expand the AYUSH infrastructure in rural and tribal areas, enrich human resources, and start more community-based AYUSH health insurance schemes to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure. Demand-side interventions may include structured awareness programs, cultural initiatives, and incorporating AYUSH education in the school curriculum, etc. Such demand and supply-side drivers are important not only for achieving “Health for All” but also for appreciating AYUSH’s full competence as a public health equaliser.

Keywords

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