Health Equity in India: Why Evidence-Based Interventions Are Essential for Progress

Equity means eliminating unjust, avoidable, and fixable differences between people whether these differences arise from social, economic, demographic, geographic, or other factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation. Since health is a basic human right, health equity is realized when every individual could reach their highest possible level of health and well-being.  (World Health Organization)

Health and health equity are influenced by the circumstances into which people are born and the environments in which they grow, live, work, play, and age, along with biological factors. These outcomes are further shaped by structural determinants such as political, legal, and economic systems as well as social norms and institutional practices that influence how power and resources are distributed across society.  (World Health Organization)‍

A. Why Do Evidence-Based Interventions Matter?

1.They Lead to Scalable and Sustainable Outcomes

Interventions backed by evidence tend to be:

•More culturally acceptable: Interventions designed with evidence respect local beliefs and practices, making them easier for communities to relate to and trust.

•More likely to be adopted by communities: When programs reflect real community needs, people are more willing to participate and integrate them into daily life.

•Easier to scale across states: Evidence-backed models can be replicated in different regions because they are tested, adaptable, and proven effective.

•Sustainable beyond funding cycles: Programs rooted in evidence are built for long-term impact, enabling them to continue benefiting communities even after the funding ends.

For example, The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission seeks to build the core framework required for a unified digital health infrastructure across the country. Its goal is to connect various stakeholders within the healthcare system by creating seamless digital pathways that close existing gaps and improve coordination and talks about Universal health coverage.

2. Identify real community health needs and to reduce Health inequality India’s health system faces challenges such as:

•Large rural–urban disparities: Health services in India are unevenly distributed. Urban areas typically have better hospitals, more doctors, advanced medical equipment, and faster access to care. In contrast, many rural regions struggle with shortages of healthcare workers, limited facilities, and long travel distances to reach treatment.

•Unequal access to healthcare facilities: Even when healthcare exists, not everyone can reach or use it equally. Some districts have multiple hospitals, while others have only basic primary centers. Barriers such as transportation challenges, lack of specialists, long waiting times, and cost of services further restrict access.

•High out-of-pocket expenditure:  A large portion of healthcare costs in India is paid directly by individuals instead of being covered by insurance or government support. This includes expenses for doctor visits, medicines, diagnostics, and hospital care.

•Gender-based health gaps: Women and girls often face unique challenges in accessing healthcare. Social norms, safety concerns, financial dependence, and lack of autonomy can delay or prevent them from seeking care.

These inequalities lead to preventable diseases, financial hardship, and lower life expectancy among marginalized groups.

B. How Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strengthens the Push Toward Health Equity?

By integrating evidence-based methods, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives become more impactful, inclusive, and scalable. CSR contributions are helping improve:

1.Eradicating Hunger, Poverty and Malnutrition: CSR initiatives support food security, livelihood opportunities, and nutritional programs to uplift vulnerable populations.

2.Promoting Education: CSR funds help improve access to quality education through scholarships, school infrastructure, digital learning, and teacher training.

3.Promoting Gender Equality: CSR programs empower women and girls through skill development, health services, leadership training, and economic opportunities.

4.CSR initiatives related to the environment: Companies invest in sustainability efforts such as afforestation, waste management, water conservation, and renewable energy.

5.Protection of national heritage, art, and culture: CSR contributions preserve historical sites, promote traditional arts, and support cultural revitalization projects.

CSR-driven programs often fill gaps in regions where government resources are stretched.

C. How DevInsights Works Toward Health Equity?

To align with India’s evolving CSR landscape, DevInsights acts as a strategic knowledge partner, ensuring that CSR-funded initiatives are evidence-driven and responsive to real community needs. Through rigorous research designs, robust monitoring systems, and comprehensive impact evaluation frameworks, DevInsights supports organizations in developing interventions that meaningfully advance health equity.

Its portfolio spans public health research, large-scale surveys, program evaluations, digital data solutions, and behaviour change studies, enabling government and CSR stakeholders to assess effectiveness, identify gaps, and optimize outcomes. By embedding evidence at every stage, DevInsights bridges the gap between financial investment and on-ground results, ensuring that CSR contributions effectively support India’s goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and equitable access to healthcare.

‍

‍