Social Health Program

4.6 Social Health Programme – Summary

Definition of Health (WHO)

• Health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just absence of disease.
• In 1986, WHO added: Health is a resource for daily life, not the goal of living.

Major Health Achievements in India

• Polio eradicated (2014), Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus eliminated (2015), Yaws (2016).
• Life expectancy rose from 62.5 (2000) to 68.8 years (2016).
• Infant mortality reduced by 57%; under-5 mortality dropped from 125 to 39 per 1000 (1990–2016).
• Maternal mortality dropped from 437 (1990) to 130 (2015).
• HIV infections reduced by 66% (2000–2015); AIDS deaths declined by 55% (2007–2015).
• Institutional deliveries increased from 39% to 79% (2005–2016).
• Major decline in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs):
• 80% drop in kala-azar (2011–2017).
• Leprosy eliminated in 29 states/UTs.
• Filariasis eliminated in 88% districts.
• Tobacco use declined from 34.6% to 28.6% (2009–2017); 8.1 million fewer users.

4.6.2 Role of Government in Health Sector

• Health system strengthening
• Health information & research systems
• Regulation & enforcement
• Health promotion
• Human resource & capacity building
• Public health policies
• Identifying further areas for improvement

4.6.3 Intersectoral Coordination for Public Health

• Address social determinants: living conditions, urban planning, rural infrastructure.
• Improve education, nutrition, social security, food and social assistance.
• Promote population stabilization, gender empowerment, climate resilience.
• Encourage community participation, private sector, civil society & global partnerships.

Key Health Initiatives and Programs in India

1. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

• Ensures mental health services as a right.
• Aims to provide dignified life to individuals with mental illness.

2. Efforts to Control NCDs

• National Programme on NCDs (2017–2022): Focus on diabetes, CVDs, and stroke.
• Target: Reduce premature NCD mortality by 25% by 2025.

3. Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP)

• EHR-based health data system for nationwide disease surveillance.

4. Mission Indradhanush

• Goal: Achieve 100% immunization coverage for children and pregnant women.

5. National Programs

• National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme: Prevention and treatment of hepatitis.
• National TB Programme: Improve TB diagnosis and treatment.
• Swachh Bharat Mission: Eliminate open defecation (goal achieved by 2019).
• Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): Health insurance up to ₹5 lakh/year for poor families.

Other Important Initiatives

6. POSHAN Abhiyaan

• Improve nutrition among women and children.
• Promote breastfeeding and reduce malnutrition.

7. Midwifery Services

• Skilled care for mothers at primary/district level facilities.

8. Mission MAA (Mothers’ Absolute Affection)

• Encourage breastfeeding among women with children under 2 years.

9. Anemia Mukt Bharat

• Reduce anemia in women, adolescents, and children.

10. National AYUSH Mission

• Promote traditional medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, etc.) via co-located centers in hospitals.