TRACKING ANEMIA AND ITS DETERMINANTS FROM 2015-16 TO 2019-21 IN INDIA

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Anemia is a condition defined by low hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the blood, which results in inadequacies to meet the body’s physiological needs of oxygen. Anemia is caused by nutritional and non-nutritional factors, which include deficiencies in micronutrients (iron, folate, and B12), infection and disease, genetic abnormalities, and blood loss. Anemia has been associated with losses in productivity and suboptimal cognition, thus has consequences for human capital and the economy.

India has an evidence-based strategy to reduce anemia, Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB, or Anemia Free India), launched in 2018. Part of the National Health Mission of the Government of India, AMB includes six interventions including:

1)iron and folic acid supplementation,

2)deworming,

3)behaviour change communication,

4)testing and treating anemia,

5)provision of fortified foods through public health programmes,

6)addressing non-nutritional causes such as malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.

This Data Note provides an update on the prevalence of anemia and its determinants in India at state and districts levels, as well as coverage of a nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. Data were from the National Family Health Surveys in 2005-06, 2015-2016 and 2019-21. We first report national trends for 8 population groups (Figure 1 below). For each population group, we show anemia prevalence by severity category and at state and district levels using the two latest rounds of data. Lastly, we show recent trends in determinants of anemia and, nutrition and health interventions.