The recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) provides an extensive analysis of India’s progress in areas such as nutrition, family welfare, maternal and child health, and overall healthcare improvements. Conducted across approximately 6.79 lakh households from 2023 to 2024, the survey reveals significant advancements alongside emerging challenges in the realm of public health. The findings indicate that while maternal and child health metrics are improving, India is also beginning to contend with an increasing prevalence of obesity and related lifestyle diseases.

Key indicators show notable enhancements in institutional births, vaccination rates, antenatal care, and financial protection through health insurance. The survey is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai, spanning 715 districts.

As India enters this new phase of health challenges, the data suggests a complex landscape where undernutrition is increasingly juxtaposed with rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases. This evolving health scenario presents unique challenges for policymakers and healthcare professionals alike.

Significant Improvements in Health Metrics

Among the most notable findings, health insurance coverage saw a substantial rise, increasing from 41 per cent in the last survey to 60.2 per cent in NFHS-6. This expansion of insurance coverage reflects increased access to healthcare services and is likely to alleviate out-of-pocket expenses for families. The growth is significantly attributed to initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, which aim to bolster healthcare financing.

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remains stable at 2.0, continuing below the replacement level of 2.1. This indicates a sustained trend of families opting for smaller sizes, reflecting the adoption of family planning measures across the country. In contrast, concerns around obesity are rising, with increased rates of overweight individuals among both men and women reported in the survey.

The percentage of women classified as overweight or obese is climbing, highlighting a need for public health interventions focused on managing weight and shifting dietary habits. With lifestyle-related diseases on the rise, the survey underscores the importance of a dual approach to address both undernutrition and obesity in India.

Improvements in Maternal and Child Health

In terms of maternal healthcare, antenatal care coverage has risen to 95.9 per cent, illustrating significant improvements compared to previous years. The proportion of pregnant women receiving at least four antenatal check-ups has similarly increased from 58.5 per cent to 65.2 per cent, indicating enhanced engagement with health services throughout pregnancy. Improved early registration and care during the first trimester also facilitate better maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Institutional births have reached a new high, with more than ninety per cent of deliveries taking place in healthcare facilities. This shift is a critical indicator of the safety and quality of maternity care in India. However, the increase in caesarean deliveries, which rose from 21.5 per cent to 27.2 per cent, particularly in urban settings where the rates are considerably higher, raises important discussions around the necessity of such interventions during childbirth.

Child health measures also show promising results, with full vaccination coverage for children aged 12 to 23 months increasing from 83.8 per cent to 87.1 per cent. Additionally, the decline in stunting rates among children under five, from 35.5 per cent to 29.3 per cent, indicates positive trends in child nutrition. Progress has also been observed in addressing acute malnutrition, evidenced by a reduction in the rate of severe wasting from 7.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent.

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