Impact of the aging population on health system efficiency in combating COVID-19 of Indian states

The majority of aging economies are clearly significantly impacted by coronavirus worldwide. India's population structure is diverse, considering the social framework, religion, and cultural variations among different states. Against this backdrop, this study aims to achieve two main goals. First, it seeks to assess how different states vary in their capacity to combat coronavirus. This study examines how the aging population affects the state's ability to confront the virus. The study's empirical analysis is supported by a published database covering twenty-one Indian states and one Union Territory, with efficiency analysis conducted through the application of the Technical Inefficiency Effects model within the stochastic frontier analysis framework. The empirical findings indicate that West Bengal ranks as the top-performing state, whereas Manipur is the lowest on the list. Healthcare resources and personnel greatly influence the recovery of patients with coronavirus. The calculated coefficients of the inefficiency model show that a state with a larger share of older adult residents is less efficient in managing the coronavirus. However, increased health awareness among older individuals enhances the state's ability to combat this illness. This study suggests special measures to protect older adults by ensuring that they have access to essentials such as food, water, and medications. Additionally, ensuring livelihood security is another approach to effectively implement lockdowns and manage the disease. The research concludes by outlining potential directions for future investigations.