India’s latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has recorded a grim picture of public health in the country. While several indicators such as mothers getting institutional help during deliveries and awareness about risk factors are improving, health parameters looked worse in 2019-20 as compared to 2015-16.
A serious cause for concern is the prevalence of acute respiratory illnesses, which has increased among children in most states. Of the 22 states for which data was released, the eight most populous states – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal – are analysed here.
Six of these eight