Health Shocks, Vulnerability and Coping Mechanisms of Poor Households in Eastern India: Observations From NSSO Data

This paper examines the vulnerability of households to health shocks in Odisha, a poor state in eastern India. Using data from four rounds of nationally representative health surveys of NSSO, the study finds households belonging to the groups, such as SC, ST, daily labourers and agricultural cultivators, and the rural sector, are highly vulnerable to health shocks. Further, it finds that household size, hygienic conditions, proportion of the elderly, proportion of children, the proportion of hospitalisation, education, female‐headed households and earning loss are significant determinants of household vulnerability. Hence, the policy recommendation calls for an integrated programme to improve hygiene, health awareness and behavioural changes among people. In addition, the government should focus on women's education and expanding economic opportunities to break down barriers and empower them socially and economically. Furthermore, there is a need to enhance government or social health insurance coverage, especially for poor and disadvantaged groups.