Twin studies reveal challenges for ensuring healthy life for the elderly | Bhubaneswar News

Bhubaneswar: Two major studies have placed Odisha at the forefront of geriatric health research in India, offering unprecedented insights into the lives, illnesses and care preferences of the elderly across rural and urban areas.The first study, ‘Demography Integrated Surveillance for Health Assessment-Geriatric’ (DISHA-G), was conducted in Tigiria block of Cuttack district and published in the journal, Global Health Research and Policy.It surveyed 18,389 individuals aged 50 and above across 50 villages, forming India’s first rural geriatric cohort nested within a broader ‘health, demography and environment surveillance system’ (HDESS). Using digital tools and GIS mapping, researchers tracked disease prevalence and healthcare-seeking behaviour.Findings revealed that hypertension (22%) and diabetes (10.6%) were the most common chronic conditions, while 9.5% of participants suffered from multi-morbidity. Despite economic disparities, 91% preferred public healthcare facilities, and only 8.3% relied on informal providers such as unlicensed practitioners or pharmacies. Barriers to formal care included lack of insurance, lower wealth status and limited family support.“In urban centres, things are different than the rural ones. Diabetes and hypertension have become very common among all people. In urban areas, older adults mostly suffer from diseases like arthritis and other chronic diseases due to their lifestyle,” said Pradeep Narayan Sahoo, medicine specialist at a prominent healthcare institute.Complementing the first study, a second study published in the journal, Frontiers in Public Health, assessed 906 multi-morbidity patients from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, and KIMS Bhubaneswar using the EQ-5D-5L value set for India.It quantified health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and found a steep decline in well-being with increasing conditions: utility scores dropped from 0.677 for one condition to 0.098 for four or more. In severe combinations — such as stroke with arthritis or respiratory disease — scores even turned negative, indicating states perceived as worse than death.The study also identified protective factors — younger age, urban residence, higher education, being married and regular physical activity — were linked to better HRQoL. Researchers called for integrated care models and patient-centred strategies to address the complex needs of ageing populations.“These studies offer a data-rich foundation for state planners and policymakers. The research underscores the urgency of expanding insurance coverage, strengthening public healthcare infrastructure, and designing holistic interventions that prioritise dignity and quality of life for the elderly,” Sahoo added.Geriatric care specialist Akash Patra said that Odisha’s or India’s elderly population is growing and it is time to find a due care system. “Policymakers need to plan more geriatric facilities for the elderly,” he said.Bratati Harichandan, commissioner, social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities department, said the state is taking steps to increase facilities for the elderly. “We already have homes for the elderly in most of the districts. Efforts are on to open integrated facilities in all districts. We have also been running special programmes for older adults,” she said.