Abstract
In the first section of this concluding chapter we present highlights from the syntheses of research on health inequities in India and a critique of the limitations of this evidence. Health equity research in India is clearly at an early and formative stage. There is a large body of literature around the patterns of health inequities along several axes, but for this literature to mature into actionable knowledge, and result in the implementation of meaningful policies, programmes and interventions, there is still a long way to go. Section 9.2 seeks to make meaning of the evidence through an attempt to weave the various strands of explanations presented in the literature together into a coherent approach for researching health inequities. It identifies the Coleman’s boat that helps organise various social mechanisms; the institutional focus and the intersectional lens as critical components to any approach that attempts to engage with the complex phenomena of health inequities in a meaningful fashion. The concept of embodiment, which makes the link between institutions and individual bodies, is an integral part of such an approach. Section 9.3 draws on this to suggest our thoughts on what needs to be done differently in health equity research, to make a tangible impact, especially on those affected the most.
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Notes
- 1.
Of course both types of interactions are well described in systems thinking and other multilevel theories of system change like the transitions theory.
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Appendix
Appendix
Content gaps in health equity research in India identified through mapping and syntheses exercises
Categories | Content gaps |
|---|---|
Population groups | • Dalit and Adivasi populations • Children above 5 years of age; adolescents; elderly; persons living with disabilities (physical and mental); persons living with specific stigmatised health conditions; migrant workers; sex workers; people of non-conforming gender identity and sexual orientation |
Health conditions | • Non-communicable and communicable diseases • Mental health • Injuries • Reproductive health issues beyond maternal health • Well-being |
Geographic locations | • Urban poor areas • North-Eastern States, Goa |
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Ravindran, T.K.S., Gaitonde, R., Srinivas, P.N., Subramaniam, S., Chidambaram, P., Chitra, G.A. (2018). Health Equity Research: A Political Project. In: Ravindran, T., Gaitonde, R. (eds) Health Inequities in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5089-3_9
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