Trends in Health Status and Infrastructural Support in Tamil Nadu

This paper aimed at examining the health status in Tamil Nadu and to highlight the major issues on it. The health scenario of Tamil Nadu was examined, based on certain selected health indicators and the extent of health infrastructure available in the state and its utilisation were also discussed The study observed that there is a reduction in the vital statistics such as birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate and an increase in the life expectancy at birth in Tamil Nadu during the last three decades. These trends indicated the developments in the health status of the people and the steady progress in the health indicators. The study argued that though the demographic indicators and vital statistics indicate very high of Tamil Nadu in terms of health performance, there are several areas in which improvements are possible. To conclude, Tamil Nadu seems to have performed better compared to All India average in demographic and several health indicators. However, Tamil Nadu is capable of much higher levels of achievements with its knowledge base, administrative and institutional strength and its growth potentials.