Socio -Economic Determinants of Health among Tribal Communities in Telangana State

Abstract

Scheduled Tribe communities in India remain among the most marginalised, facing serious and persistent health disparities despite constitutional protections and welfare programs. In Telangana, tribal populations are concentrated in remote, economically disadvantaged areas where access to healthcare and basic services is limited. This paper argues that the health and well-being of Adivasis in Telangana are primarily shaped by structural inequalities—specifically, poverty, social exclusion, and institutional barriers—rather than individual behaviour. Focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, diseases, healthcare access, and underlying social determinants. Findings reveal ongoing health disparities both between tribal and non-tribal groups and among different Scheduled Tribes. The analysis demonstrates a strong association between socioeconomic factors and health outcomes: higher maternal education is associated with reduced child undernutrition (r = 0.61), and higher household income is associated with improved antenatal care use (r = 0.67). Education and income are also associated with lower rates of maternal anaemia, underscoring the need to address the social and economic determinants of sustained health improvements.