| Abstract: | Available data indicate that levels of urban poverty in India are increasing, while rural poverty is decreasing. Given the difficulty of accurately estimating the size of the poor and slum populations residing in urban areas, it is also difficult to assess the health and nutritional status of such populations. In 1991, 28% of the estimated 20 million people living in 23 major metropolitan areas lived in slums. 39-43% of India's slum population is distributed between Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. India must rise to the challenge of providing primary health care to millions of slum dwellers. Based upon the current urban growth rate, the Task Force of the National Institute of Urban Affairs has projected that by 2000, 62-78 million people will reside in India's slums, of an estimated 310 million person urban population. The health status of the urban poor is influenced by urban economies, urbanization, and urban environments. These factors are discussed, followed by consideration of the major health problems among the urban poor, the urban health care delivery system, and recommendations for a better urban health. |
