UP, Rajasthan districts at high risk amid social vulnerability: Study
Even though Maharashtra, Gujrat and Delhi have registered the highest number of Coronavirus positive cases in the country, a study by IIT Bombay suggests that the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are more vulnerable to the disease having the most districts with high epidemiological risk.
12 districts in Rajasthan and 14 in Uttar Pradesh have less than 100 cases as of April 22, but are in the top 100 districts with the highest epidemiological risk.
The model takes into account not just case prevalence, but also prevalence in neighbouring districts as of April 28. The risk score also includes social indicators from the 2011 Census such as elderly population, disabled population, percentage of households with no drainage or latrine, and areas with no nearby drinking water, electricity, or medical facility.
“Well-being is an important aspect of epidemiological risk. Take, for example, a marginalised worker and those without a fixed job. If one doesn’t have sufficient money, they will not listen to government directions. These may not always directly influence epidemic spread, but could indirectly influence the harm,” said Subhankar Karmakar, professor of environmental science and engineering at IIT Bombay, as quoted by the Indian Express.
The model found that while Uttar Pradesh’s Kanshi Ram Nagar only had three cases as of April 22, it was in top 15 epidemiological risk scores because of high social vulnerability. Similarly, Ajmer in Rajasthan had 23 cases as of April 22 but was in the top 30 epidemiological risk scores.
Also, even though districts in Odisha and Jharkhand have less cases, they are in the top half of epidemiological risk because of low social indicators.
On the other hand, even though Tamil Nadu and Gujarat do not show districts with an average high social vulnerability, they are at high risk because of high case prevalence.
