Exploring Healthcare Utilization Patterns and Economic Burden of Frailty in India

Aditi Aditi, PopulationCouncil Consulting
Punit Mishra, PopulationCouncil Consulting
Mrinmoy Bharadwaz, Axtria Ind Pvt Limited
Ajit Jaiswal, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The global population growth, particularly aging populations, is an increasing concern worldwide, not just in developed countries. The present study aims to examine the multidimensional impact of frailty in terms of epidemiological burden and economic burden in India. For the Analysis purpose, the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)—wave 1(2017-2018) was used. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and ordered logistic regression were employed to assess frailty determinants and estimate its economic burden as a percentage of India's GDP. Frailty prevalence is 31.1% among older adults in India. Individuals living alone experience the highest frailty burden (47.9%), followed by those living with children/others (44.7%), and those living with a spouse (24.2%). Interestingly, older adults living with a spouse had a higher likelihood of being frail (OR: 3.23; p-value < 0.079) than those living alone. The study also estimated that frailty contributes to a substantial economic burden of approximately $2,863 million, accounting for 1.06% of India's GDP. The high prevalence of frailty significantly impacts families, healthcare systems, and the economy, underscoring an urgent need for targeted, gender-sensitive healthcare interventions to address this growing public health concern. Public programs should focus on health and building the economic resilience of older adults in India.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Economic Demography, Health and Morbidity

See extended abstract.