Health and Wellness Index
Full Form of HWI
What is HWI?
The Health and Wellness Index (HWI) is a composite metric used to assess the overall health status and well-being of a population. In India, the HWI is often employed by government agencies such as NITI Aayog and state health departments to evaluate and compare health outcomes across districts or states. It typically includes indicators like maternal and child health, disease burden, healthcare access, sanitation, nutrition, and lifestyle factors. The index is updated periodically based on survey data from sources like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and Health Management Information System (HMIS). Policymakers use HWI rankings to identify gaps, allocate resources, and design targeted interventions. For students preparing for competitive exams such as UPSC, state PSCs, or public health exams, understanding the HWI is important as it appears in questions related to health governance, sustainable development goals, and performance benchmarking. The index emphasizes preventive care and the shift from sick-care to wellness-oriented healthcare, aligning with the Ayushman Bharat mission and India's commitment to universal health coverage.
HWI का फुल फॉर्म
स्वास्थ्य और कल्याण सूचकांक
Example
The NITI Aayog's annual Health and Wellness Index showed that Kerala and Tamil Nadu led in overall health outcomes while northeastern states made significant progress in reducing infant mortality.