Harder being left behind: Health status of Indian women from migrant households

Abstract

Using the two waves (2004–05 and 2011–12) of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), a nationally representative dataset, we examine the health status of women (using objective health measures such as body mass index (BMI) and incidence of underweight) in migrant households relative to women in non-migrant households. The findings of the paper reveal a concerning pattern of poor health status among women in migrant households characterized by a lower BMI and a higher incidence of underweight vis-à-vis their non-migrant counterparts. The results emphasize the pivotal roles of women empowerment and social networks in mitigating the adverse health consequences of migration.