Inclusive health data essential for accurate surveys in Chennai

Experts gathered at a national workshop in Chennai to discuss the importance of inclusive health data in longitudinal surveys. The event, organized by the Tamil Nadu Household Panel Survey and the Madras Institute of Development Studies, focused on the challenges and opportunities of tracking population and poverty dynamics in India. During the workshop, M. Suresh Babu, director of MIDS, opened the session. Moderated by P.C. Mohanan from the Kerala Statistical Commission, the discussion included several key panelists. Pallavi Choudhuri from the National Data Innovation Centre highlighted the benefits of using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for effective data collection. She emphasized the need for regular data updates and tools to improve the survey process. The panel also discussed the importance of understanding poverty dynamics. Choudhuri noted that outdated data could miss crucial shifts in poverty levels. She pointed out that many people eligible for government benefits do not have a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, which hampers access to support. Aloke Kar from the Indian Statistical Institute addressed challenges in survey design, including language diversity. T.V. Sekher from the International Institute for Population Sciences shared findings from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, noting discrepancies in self-reported health data. The event wrapped up with a call for better data collection methods. Experts urged more research on tracking women's health and eliminating biases in survey data collection. The insights gained from the workshop are expected to contribute to more effective welfare planning and gender-sensitive interventions.