Health Services and Inequalities in Urban Context: Realities in two Districts of Tamilnadu

At present, India's total population stands at 1.21 billion. Among the top five fast urbanizing states in India, Tamil Nadu (48.4 per cent) with rapid development processes have led to haphazard and uncontrollable growth of... [ view full abstract ]

At present, India's total population stands at 1.21 billion. Among the top five fast urbanizing states in India, Tamil Nadu (48.4 per cent) with rapid development processes have led to haphazard and uncontrollable growth of urban areas of Chennai and Kancheepuram districts. It will be worthwhile to evaluate if these districts are fully prepared to take on the challenges that are thrust on it under the current socio-economic and political environment. The direct impact of urban sprawl reflects on the health of the inhabitants of Chennai and Kancheepuram and urban agglomeration areas. The contemporary imbroglio conditions of urbanization needs proper planning to facilitate a fine living standard for its inhabitants. The planning of the sprawl area needs to be given due importance so as to accommodate the development. There is a pivotal need for government, academicians and nongovernmental agencies to network together to comprehend this scenario of sprawl. Failing to roll out better policies for a controlled growth is ruling out better future for generation next. An attempt is made to study the public health conditions and the health service that are available in these districts. The inclusion of experts from various sectors on a single platform to intrinsically and extensively judge on the factors and its impacts will be elicited. Geographers, Urban city planner, hospital administrators and physicians would contribute their opinions on this issue. The tools like questionnaire, Global Information System, interviews, brainstorming sessions would be conducted to appraise the situations and its impact. Further, applying public health criteria to land use and urban design decisions could substantially help in improving the quality of life of the people.


Keywords : Urbanizing State, Growth, urban sprawl, Urban Agglomeration,
regional inequalities, Town Planning. Quality of Life