Unveiling the Findings
A recent peer-reviewed study published in Science Advances has shed light on the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy in India. Conducted by a team of 10 researchers from the UK, the US, and Europe, the study offers a comprehensive look at how the pandemic affected mortality rates across different demographics in India.
Decline in Life Expectancy
The research reveals that life expectancy at birth in India dropped by 2.6 years in 2020 compared to 2019, with an overall mortality increase of 17%. This sharp decline resulted in an estimated 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020, a figure that starkly contrasts with the official COVID-19 death toll. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 4.7 million people died from COVID-19 in India, nearly ten times the official count, which the Indian government disputes.
Disparities Across Demographics
One of the most alarming findings of the study is the unequal impact of the pandemic on different demographic groups:
- Gender Disparities: Women in India experienced a greater decline in life expectancy than men, a pattern not observed in most other countries. This disparity is likely driven by pre-existing gender inequalities, including lesser healthcare spending on females and disruptions to maternal healthcare during the pandemic.
- Age Groups: Mortality rates increased across all age groups, but the rise was particularly pronounced among younger age groups compared to high-income countries. This resulted in larger declines in life expectancy in India.
- Marginalised Social Groups: The study highlights that marginalised communities such as Muslims, Dalits, and tribespeople saw more significant declines in life expectancy than privileged upper-caste groups. These declines were comparable to or greater than those seen among Native Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics in the US in 2020.
Methodology
The researchers analysed data from over 765,000 individuals, representing a quarter of India’s population. They utilised high-quality data from India’s National Family Health Survey 5, which included information on recent household deaths and socio-economic characteristics. By comparing mortality rates from 2019 to 2020 within the same households, they identified patterns that incomplete data and disease surveillance might have missed.
Implications and Future Research
The findings underscore significant and unequal mortality impacts during the pandemic in India, the world’s most populous country. The researchers call for further investigation into why women experienced higher excess deaths than men, why younger age groups were more affected, and why Muslims saw significant declines in life expectancy compared to other social groups.
Sangita Vyas from CUNY Hunter College, one of the researchers, suggests that these patterns likely result from disparities in healthcare access, underlying health conditions, the differing impacts of lockdowns, and increased discrimination against marginalised groups. The study emphasises the need for targeted policies to address these disparities and improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
This comprehensive study provides crucial insights into the pandemic’s impact on life expectancy in India, highlighting significant demographic disparities. It calls for urgent action to address gender and social inequalities in healthcare and to mitigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on marginalised communities.
Further Reading
