Reflections on Wealth Quintile Distribution and Health Outcomes
Authors:
T R Dilip and Udaya S Mishra
Source:
Economic and Political Weekly, Vol - XLIII No. 48, November 29, 2008
Topic(s):
Health equity Wealth Index
Country:
Asia
India
Published:
NOV 2008
Abstract:
This study focuses on the method the National Family Health Survey-3 adopts to compute national wealth quintiles using the wealth index score of households as a basis. It argues that the survey's national wealth quintile classification does not account for interstate variations in wealth possession as well as rural-urban differences within states, which could lead to biased outcomes when applied to health indicators. It suggests that working out state-specific wealth quintiles that allow for the differentials would be more appropriate.