Table 2 Key findings from Phase I

Social inequalities in health

■ Caste and socioeconomic inequalities in women’s health were observed: 1) women from lower castes reported a higher prevalence of poor health than women from high castes; 2) socioeconomic inequalities in health existed regardless of the indicator used (education, women’s employment status, or household landholdings; and 3) multilevel models indicated that among women with low caste affiliations, the influence of socioeconomic indicators led to a “magnifying” effect, whereas among women with high caste affiliations, a “buffering” effect was found [15].

Health of Paniyas

■ Compared to non-Paniyas, Paniyas reported: 1) the highest rates of poverty, 2) the lowest education levels; 3) the lowest utilization rates of health care facilities; 4) the highest household expenditure on alcohol; 5) the worst access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and 6) the poorest housing conditions [project profiles].

Population health interventions

■ Poor women who participated in a self-help group (SHG) were: 1) less likely to face exclusion from health care compared to poor women who did not participate in a SHG, and 2) less likely to report emotional stress and poor life than poor women who did not participate in a SHG if the woman had been a member of a SHG for at least two years [12].

■ SNEHA was successfully launched and the community based health insurance (CBHI) became operational in July 2005.