Urbanization and human health in urban India: institutional analysis of water-borne diseases in Ahmedabad

Rapid urbanization, coupled with ageing infrastructure and governance inefficiencies, exacerbates the spread of water-borne diseases in Ahmedabad, India. The study identifies a vicious cycle driven by institutional factors, social actors exploiting systemic weaknesses, and political dynamics that perpetuate disease exposure. Using path dependency and rational choice perspectives, it analyzes data from 327 households across two wards through surveys and interviews over two years, applying principal component analysis to uncover underlying inefficiencies. Breaking this cycle requires addressing the political underpinnings of urban health disparities.

Saravanan, V. S., Ayessa Idenal, M., Saiyed, S., Saxena, D., & Gerke, S. (2016). Urbanization and human health in urban India: institutional analysis of water-borne diseases in Ahmedabad. Health Policy and Planning, 31(8), 1089–1099. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czw039