Urban India is more sick than the rural hinterland despite the mushrooming of health and wellness clinics and super-specialty hospitals, besides better per capita earnings. And this could well be attributed to increasing pollution levels and unhealthy dietary habits. A government health survey has revealed that around 11.8% of urban and 8.9% of rural population reported ailments during a 15-day reference period.

The NSSO survey released on Monday also reiterates that people rely more on private hospitals, with over 70% spells of ailment (72% in rural areas and 79% in urban areas) being treated in the private sector. Also, private institutions dominated both rural (58%) and urban areas (68%) in treating inpatients.

Allopathy remains the preferred treatment in rural as well as urban areas. The survey found that over 90% of rural and urban population relies on allopathic treatment despite the government's efforts to promote alternative medicine.

The survey found that around 97% of urban and 96% of rural population was administered some treatment, which included self-medication, use of medicines taken on chemists' advice and AYUSH treatment. In previous surveys, 'treatment' administered on medical advice was considered as 'treatment'.

It was found that financial constraints (57% in rural and 68% in urban) were the key reasons for going for treatment without any medical advice.