The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare recently introduced the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report through a virtual platform. The LASI is a comprehensive national survey designed to investigate the health, economic, social determinants, and implications of population ageing in India. Initiated in 2016, this study marks India’s inaugural and the world’s biggest survey for creating a longitudinal database to formulate policies and programmes catering to the older population, focusing on social, health, and economic welfare.
A Collaborative Effort: Agencies Involved
The National Programme for Health Care of Elderly under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare spearheads the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India. Key collaborators include the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Harvard School of Public Health, University of Southern California, USA, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and National Institute on Ageing.
Wide-Ranging Coverage
The maiden national wave of LASI (Wave 1) comprised a baseline sample of 72,250 individuals aged 45 and above along with their spouses. This includes elderly persons aged 60 and above and oldest-old persons aged 75 and above across all states and Union Territories of India, excluding Sikkim.
Comprehensive Methodology
LASI gathers extensive data on health and biomarkers, complemented by information on family and social network, income, assets, and consumption. Biomarkers play an integral role in medical studies as they are measurable indicators of disease severity or presence. They may signify any physiological state of an organism.
Findings of The Study
The 2011 census highlighted that the 60+ population constituted 8.6%, or 103 million elderly people, of India’s population. With an annual growth rate of approximately 3%, the elderly population will escalate to 319 million by 2050. The LASI report unveiled that 75% of the elderly population grapple with chronic diseases, while 40% live with disabilities, and 20% face mental health issues. The self-reported prevalence of diagnosed cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) stands at 28% among older adults aged 45 and above.
State-Based Morbidity Conditions
The states/UTs of Kerala, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Goa, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands reported a higher prevalence of multi-morbidity conditions among elderly people aged 60 and above. The percentage of single morbidity and multi-morbidity conditions tends to increase with advancing age.
Significance of the LASI Study
Evidence from LASI will enhance and expand the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly, leading to the establishment of preventive and healthcare programmes for the older population. This study is particularly relevant amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as the elderly and individuals with comorbidities are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
About National Programme for Health Care of Elderly
The programme operates under the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) flexible pool within the overarching umbrella of the National Health Mission for Districts and below in the States. Its vision includes offering accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term care services to the ageing population and promoting active and healthy ageing. The Centre funds 75% of the total budget, with the State Government contributing the remaining 25%. All elderly people (above 60 years) in the country are the eligible beneficiaries of this programme, which offers free, specialized health care facilities exclusively through the state health delivery system.