AP Shines in Healthcare Gains, But Lifestyle Diseases Raise Alarm

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the better-performing states in healthcare access, maternal and child welfare, financial inclusion and digital empowerment, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6 (2023-24).

Yet, beneath the encouraging numbers lies a growing public health challenge marked by rising obesity, diabetes, hypertension and an exceptionally high rate of caesarean deliveries.

The latest survey notes that the state has made remarkable strides in traditional development indicators.

Among the state's biggest achievements is its near-universal healthcare coverage. Health insurance now covers 91.9 per cent of households, significantly higher than the national average of 80.2 per cent. Maternal healthcare indicators have also reached impressive levels, with 99.7 per cent of pregnant women receiving antenatal care and 98.4 per cent of births taking place in institutional settings.

The state's child healthcare programmes have recorded notable success. Nearly 88 per cent of children aged 12-23 months are fully immunised, while vitamin-A supplements coverage has crossed 91 per cent. Public health experts attribute these gains to expanded healthcare infrastructure, welfare initiatives and extensive outreach efforts across rural and urban areas.

Equally significant is the improvement in child nutrition indicators. Stunting among children below five years has declined sharply from 31.2 per cent in NFHS-5 to 24.6 per cent in NFHS-6. The proportion of underweight children dropped from 29.6 per cent to 23.2 per cent, while severe wasting fell dramatically from six per cent to just 2.7 per cent.

However, concerns persist regarding the quality of nutrition. Only 19.2 per cent of children aged six to 23 months receive an adequate diet, highlighting continuing gaps in dietary diversity and feeding practices despite improvements in overall nutrition outcomes.

The survey also records substantial progress in digital and financial inclusion. Internet usage among women has surged from 21 per cent to 63.6 per cent, while usage among men increased from 41.9 per cent to 83.7 per cent. Women's economic empowerment has strengthened as 92.3 per cent now operate their own bank accounts, and 64.1 per cent own and use mobile phones.

Educational attainment among women has improved considerably, with nearly half of women aged 15-49 completing at least 10 years of schooling. These gains have been accompanied by reductions in teenage pregnancies and child marriages.

Despite the positive trends, NFHS-6 identifies several areas of concern. The state's caesarean-section delivery rate stands at 52.2 per cent, among the highest in the country. In private hospitals, the rate rises to an alarming 66.2 per cent, prompting concerns about possible overuse of surgical interventions.

Lifestyle diseases have emerged as another major challenge. Nearly 48 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men are overweight or obese, both above national averages. Diabetes is becoming increasingly common, with roughly one in four adults reporting elevated blood sugar levels or receiving treatment. Hypertension also affects about a quarter of the adult population.

Social indicators present a mixed picture. While spousal violence has declined from 29.9 per cent to 22.7 per cent, nearly one in four ever-married women continues to report physical or sexual violence. Child marriage, though declining, remains a concern, with 25.1 per cent of women aged 20-24 having married before turning 18.