health outcomes for which India and China have had different experiences in the last half-century

health outcomes for which India and China have had different experiences in the last half-century

China and India, which are the most populous nations in the world, are experiencing dramatic economic demographic and societal transformations. The two countries are dissimilar in terms of their policies for population growth, political regimes as well as ethnic composition and heterogeneity. The regression outcomes show that the health state of the elder adult population was worse in India than in China at a two great extent. The elderly refers to people with 60 years and above. Older adults are more susceptible to disease, sickness and syndromes as compared to the other population. Elderly Indians have been suffering more physical, health, emotional and financial insecurities as compared to their counterparts in China (Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, 2011).

Despite elderly health declining in India than China, the two countries experience a general decline in health with age, and the case gets worse among the poor populations.

Mortality rates in India and China were very high, but the two countries have worked hard to contain the situation. China has fought a successful battle whereby the mortality rate has dropped significantly but in India mortality rate is still high. The mortality rate in China has fallen with a huge margin, whereas in India the drop margin is small. The only thing that made the mortality rate rise in Chine at some point in 158 is the famine that invaded the country, causing a 1.3% increase. There is high death among babies aged 5 years and below in India. A research done in 1999 was number 49 out of 187 nations in under 5 mortality rate. Several thousands of children die yearly from preventable diseases which include diarrheal diseases, polio and diphtheria. It’s a great shock that with 1 in 2 of each death caused by polio globally occurs in India (Trevor J.B. Dummer, 2008).

• Explain the reasons for the disparities noted.

Research shows that the cause of disparities in health among the elderly between the two countries is the increased level of chronic diseases in India as compared to China. Habits such as heavy drinking, smoking a well as inadequate physical activities have been a significant contribution to the negative effects of health in the two countries. India has increased cases of such habits (Somnath Chatterji, 2013). Indians, especially the teens, are likely to smoke twice their counterparts in China. About 8% of females and 19% of males are smokers in India, compares with 4% and 7% respectively in China. Smoking has a great contribution to premature death and mortality rate in general, due to smoking-related diseases.

To tame high death rates among children, China has invested in improved water supply, higher immunization rates, sanitation, better nutrition levels for both mother and the child, among other remedies. This makes a huge difference between the two countries. India has been urged to focus on such practices to curb death among children and the mortality rate in general (Trevor J.B. Dummer, 2008). Currently, India is doing well with the most robust health systems in the world, especially in cancer treatment.

• Describe the experience for those outcomes in Kerala and suggest reasons for why they are similar or different from the rest of India.

Kerala is a state in India on the southwestern Malabar Coast. Research shows that Kerala state is preferred by many as their residential state. As compared to most parts of India, it’s elderly health is high, and the mortality rate is low. There are two major reasons attributed to this experience. Kerala state has invested in health care to ensure citizens in the state acquire quality healthcare. Health centres have been established in Kerala, which has led to the eradication of infectious diseases such as smallpox, plague and cholera. The decline in these diseases has led to a decline in mortality rate in the state.

Another reason for the fall in mortality rate and improved elderly health is food security. Kerala state has fertile soil which supports agricultural crop such as rice, coffee, black pepper, tea, coconut as well as cashew nuts. Cash crops are sold to buy food hence leading to a healthy society (Panika, 1975).

In conclusion, the last half-century in India had China has been marked with great development in most sectors, including the health sector. This has changed the situation in mortality late as well as the health for the elderly in both countries. India and China have come up with various legislations to improve the healthcare of every citizen; thus, the challenges that faced these two countries in the last 20 years have been addressed to a great extent.