Socioeconomic inequalities of tuberculosis in India

Background: The association between poverty and tuberculosis (TB) is well established and widespread. Objective: To study the socioeconomic inequalities of TB in India. Methods: Information related to socioeconomic inequalities of TB in India was reviewed, including study of varying prevalence and infection, regional disparities and demographic disparities of disease of TB with a view to establish a link between TB and poverty, in terms of income, standard of living, house type and social class. Results: The burden of TB for India for the year 2000 was estimated to be 8.5 million and the annual risk of TB infection varied from 1 to 2%. The TB prevalence was significantly higher among people living below the poverty line compared with those above the poverty line (242 versus 149/100,000 population). Among the marginalised people, TB was 1.5 times more prevalent. TB was disproportionately high among the poor. Conclusion: Poverty and inequality were very closely linked. Today's great health challenge is equity: accelerating health progress in poor and socially excluded groups.