A report released by the State of Healthcare in Rural India 2024 revealed shocking rise in anxiety pangs experienced by rural people in India, till now considered an urban disorder catalyzed by the hustle and bustle of fast life of cities.
As per the report, nearly 45 percent respondents reported having suffered anxiety jolts and other mental health issues.
The exhaustive survey, covering over 5,389 households across 21 states, revealed a heavy reliance on informal family caregivers, predominantly women, who make up 72.1% of those providing care.
A striking 73% of rural households with elderly members required constant care, with the burden overwhelmingly falling on women, revealed the report.
Despite this high demand, only 3% of households opt for paid caregiving services, highlighting a critical gap in the care economy.
Mental health problems among the people of rural India had increased considerably in the last few years. It has now become a serious public health concern.
The report, a joint effort of Transform Rural India (TRI) and its initiative, the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), provided a pulse of how rural population, which comprised of around 68% of the country’s population, sought medical help.
Awareness and education regarding mental health was also severely lacking in rural regions. The report states clearly that not only anxiety issues, people in rural India have been dealing with issues like depression and other mental health problems.
The findings underscore the urgent need for policy shift to bolster caregiver support and integrate community dynamics into healthcare delivery, ensuring that the evolving needs of rural communities were met adequately.
Based on these insights, the report introduced a Neighbourhoods of Care model, which shifts away from the traditional approach to health delivery.
This new model recognized that not all health problems could be solved with medication or clinical interventions. Instead, it promoted holistic and personalized care that takes social and ecological factors into account.
This approach was found to be more flexible than traditional health models and involved collaboration among health professionals, social service providers, caregivers, community organizations and residents.
Other notable findings include the fact that over 60% of respondents lacked life insurance, limited access to diagnostic facilities and affordable medicines besides the belief among 50% of respondents that physical labour on farmland keeps them fit without the need for additional exercise.
Besides this, many villages lack proper drainage and waste disposal systems, with 43% of households dumping waste in open areas.
The report also highlighted the importance of training local leaders, self-help groups and service providers to better support individuals and families in rural communities.
