The Challenges in Urban Planning to Overcome Health Inequities in India

India has 8,928 urban areas or towns as per the Census 2011, 53 are cities or metros having more than 1 million population. Till date, we had taken for granted that several health indicators were worse in rural rather than urban population. Generally speaking, chronic malnutrition among under five children is lower in urban as compared to rural areas. But when the same is compared for those living in slum dwellers, their condition is worse. In 2000, a review of epidemiological studies estimated that the prevalence of mental disorders in India was somewhat lower than in urban population. Most of these studies have been conducted in metros or towns near the metros. This article looks at the challenges of ameliorating urban health inequities in India through adequate planning.