Development, Marginalization and Health in India- Implications of Covid-19

Development, marginalization and health are interrelated and inter-influencing phenomena. Among Indian population the effects of growing socio-economic inequality and its effect on health status are concerns. The rural population, women, children, aged, STs, SCs, Muslims, and urban poor are mostly excluded from many fruits of development, and are more prone to long-term effects of Covid-19 or any other disease. There are both internal and external factors playing its roles in deciding the fates of these marginalized groups, especially their health status. In order to address the health needs of these groups, public policy should focus on both improvements of socio-economic conditions on the one hand, and health policy and programmes targeted to them, on the other hand. For sustainable and equitable development, social justice and social security are prerequisites, which are presently under threat. Therefore, the challenge of social and health inclusion is of deeper concern.