Socio-Economic Determinants of Health Vulnerability in Ecological Urban Tezpur: A Geospatial Appraisal

Abstract

Background: Rapid urbanization in small and medium towns of India has intensified environmental degradation and widened socio-economic inequalities, creating serious public health concerns. Urban settlements are increasingly exposed to air and water pollution, poor sanitation, inadequate waste management, and unhealthy living conditions, particularly affecting low- and middle-income populations. Human health in urban settings is shaped by a complex interaction of ecological conditions, environmental transitions, and socio-economic risk factors. The present study evaluates the health risks among urban dwellers of Tezpur Municipality with particular emphasis on socio-economic determinants and spatial environmental conditions. Materials and Methods: The study adopted a mixed-method research design supported by spatial analysis. Primary data were collected from 456 households through household surveys, direct field observations, and informal interviews using a stratified random sampling technique across the municipal wards. GIS-based analysis using Landsat-TM7 satellite data and Quantum GIS (version 3.34) to map ecological and environmental characteristics. Statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests, was applied to examine associations between the variables. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that socio-economic variables such as income level, education, housing conditions, cooking fuel, and occupation significantly influence health outcomes. Low-income households were found to be more vulnerable due to limited access to basic services and greater exposure to unhealthy environments. Statistical results indicate strong associations between health conditions and determinants such as house type, cooking fuel, and education level, with Chi-square tests showing highly significant relationships (p < 0.001). GIS-based spatial analysis highlighted clear intra-urban variations, identifying specific wards where poor environmental conditions and socio-economic disadvantages coincide with higher health risks. Conclusions: The health scenario of Tezpur’s urban population is shaped by a complex interplay of ecological, environmental, and socio-economic factors, resulting in uneven spatial distribution of health vulnerabilities. The findings suggest the need for integrated urban health planning that improves housing quality, promotes clean energy use, strengthens sanitation infrastructure, and enhances health awareness. Such policy-oriented interventions are essential to reduce urban health inequalities and support sustainable public health development in growing towns like Tezpur.