The 14th version of India’s National Health Profile, including its digital edition, has been made public by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). The bureau began releasing the health profile in 2005 and the e-version since 2015, with the aim of creating an easily accessible, extensive database of the nation’s health data. This information is critical for informed planning and decision-making by those involved in improving the health and socio-economic standing of the community.
The Significance of National Health Profile
The National Health Profile distinguishes important health data under several crucial indicators. These include demographic indicators such as population and vital statistics, socio-economic factors like education, employment, housing, amenities, drinking water and sanitation, health status indicators which cover the incidence and prevalence of common communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Health finance indicators include health insurance and expenditure on health, while health infrastructure gives details of medical and dental colleges, AYUSH Institutes, Nursing Courses and paramedical courses. Finally, health of human resources examines the available manpower working in the health sector.
Key Findings of National Health Profile
Several noteworthy findings emerged from this analysis. Life expectancy increased from 49.7 years during 1970–75 to 68.7 years during 2012–16, with women living longer than men (70.2 years and 67.4 years, respectively). The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has seen considerable reduction, standing at 33 per 1,000 live births in 2016, although disparities between rural (37) and urban (23) areas remain high.
Population growth rate has been on a decline since 1991, with the birth rate recorded at 20.2 per 1,000 population and death rate at 6.3 per 1,000 population in 2017. The report also highlighted a high incidence of young and economically active population, with 27% below 14 years, 64.7% in the age group of 15-59 and 8.5% above 60 years.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate (TFR) | 2.3 for the country, 2.5 for rural areas, 1.8 for urban areas |
| Birth Rate | 20.2 per 1,000 population |
| Death Rate | 6.3 per 1,000 population |
| Natural Growth Rate | 13.9 per 1,000 population |
About Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI)
Set up in 1961 under the Directorate General of Health Services, the CBHI’s mission is to establish a robust Health Management Information System (HMIS) across the country. Various indicators and rates like Total Fertility Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Life Expectancy, Birth Rate, Death Rate, Natural Growth Rate help in interpreting and analysing population trends which can inform health policies, planning and related strategies.