[Answered] For better health outcomes, Census 2027 must capture actionable health data. Analyze how this comprehensive demographic data can strengthen evidence-based governance and equitable public health policy in India.

Introduction

Census 2027 presents a pivotal opportunity to shift from mere headcount to a health-intelligence tool that informs inclusive, data-driven governance and ensures better healthcare delivery across demographic, regional, and economic divides.

The Need for Health-Centric Census Data

1. Population Health Complexity: With over 1.4 billion citizens, India faces a dual burden — tackling communicable diseases (like TB, leprosy) and the rapid rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and mental illness.
2. Regional Disparities: Tertiary care is urban-centric; rural and tribal belts suffer from limited access to even primary healthcare.
3. Demographic Transitions: India’s ageing population (projected 227 million elderly by 2036) demands location-sensitive healthcare services and geriatric care planning.

How Census 2027 Can Enable Evidence-Based Public Health Policy

1. Mapping Disease Burden and Service Gaps: Collecting data on age, disability, chronic illness, and access to services allows micro-level planning. Example: TB control success — India reduced TB deaths by 21.4% between 2015 and 2023 using demographic targeting.
2. Targeting Underserved Populations: Accurate household-level data can identify geographical gaps in PHCs, Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), and diagnostics. Tamil Nadu and Kerala effectively used census-based planning for PHC expansion and staff allocation.
3. Catalyzing Mass Health Screening Campaigns: Census-linked digital health registries can guide mobile van diagnostics, CSR-funded camps, and NGO-supported outreach. PPP models can be enabled based on population density and disease vulnerability in specific census blocks.
4. Strengthening Nutrition and Maternal-Child Health: Census data revealing malnutrition or anaemia clusters can refine food security schemes like ICDS, PDS, and Midday Meals. Panchayats and SHGs can promote kitchen gardens and millet cultivation, particularly in food-insecure belts.
5. Geriatric Health and Elder-Care Services: Elderly-focused mapping helps initiate telemedicine, home-based care, and geriatric mobile units in districts with high senior populations. Example: Kerala and Himachal Pradesh have integrated community care for the elderly using such data insights.

Policy Implications and Governance Gains

1. More Equitable Allocation: Shifting from uniform distribution to need-based health investment.
2. Real-Time Decision-Making: A digitally enabled census allows integration with ABHA health IDs, PM-JAY data, and district health dashboards.
3. Crisis Preparedness: COVID-19 showed the value of granular health data — with 930 million tests and 2.2 billion vaccine doses administered based on local risk mapping.

Challenges to Address

1. Digital Infrastructure Gaps: Internet and device access in tribal and remote areas may limit real-time data updates.
2. Training Enumerators: Health-based census will require skilled workforce, ethical safeguards, and integration with health ministries.
3. Data Privacy and Consent: Sensitive health data needs strong regulatory frameworks under Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Conclusion

Census 2027 must become a blueprint for health-first governance. Beyond numbers, it must map needs, empower communities, and enable a public health model rooted in equity, precision, and human dignity.