Districts of Disparity: A Multidimensional Poverty Perspective on Child Health in Uttar Pradesh

Purpose: This study explores multidimensional poverty in Uttar Pradesh through a focused health dimension, recognizing that child health outcomes are critical indicators of broader deprivation. By isolating health as the sole dimension, the research aims to assess district-level disparities and progress in reducing health-related poverty between the 2015–16 and 2019–21 periods. Methodology: The analysis adopts a modified Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) framework, concentrating exclusively on five health sub-indicators: child stunting, child wasting, child underweight, child immunizations, and child anemia. Using secondary data from the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), the study conducts a comparative assessment across all districts of Uttar Pradesh to evaluate changes in deprivation levels over time. Findings: The results reveal significant inter-district variation in health-related poverty. While several districts show improvements in child immunization and reductions in undernutrition, others continue to face persistent challenges, particularly in addressing child anemia and wasting. The overall trend indicates progress, but with uneven spatial distribution and pockets of acute deprivation. Value: By narrowing the multidimensional poverty lens to health, this study offers a granular, indicator-specific perspective that enhances understanding of localized deprivation patterns. The findings underscore the importance of district-sensitive, health-focused policy interventions to ensure equitable development outcomes for children across Uttar Pradesh.