Urban poor under highest disease burden in Thiruvananthapuram: GIFT Study
A study by the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation reveals that residents of urban poor colonies in Thiruvananthapuram face high rates of respiratory infections, hypertension, and vector-borne diseases. Researchers linked these health issues to poor sanitation, overcrowding, and inadequate waste management in these neighborhoods.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the critical intersection between environmental infrastructure and public health outcomes in developing urban centers.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Respiratory infections, hypertension and vector-borne diseases are most prevalent among the urban poor in environmentally degraded localities of Thiruvananthapuram, a study conducted by Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT) said.The ‘Morbidity Patterns and Environmental Determinants among the Urban Poor in Thiruvananthapuram’ study, by Merlin Premala and Krishnakumari K, surveyed 716 households including 3,341 people in five urban colonies — Barton Hill, Chirakulam, Kanjirampara Harijan Colony, Rajajinagar and Karimadam. It found that 18.2% of residents suffered from respiratory infections, followed by hypertension (14.6%), vector-borne diseases (12.7%), gastrointestinal illnesses (10.4%), musculoskeletal disorders (9.8%), diabetes (8.3%), skin diseases (7.9%) and mental health conditions (3.1%).Researchers found that environmental factors played a decisive role in determining health. Overcrowding affected 62% of households, while access to sanitation and waste management remained poor across these colonies.
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