Non-Communicable Diseases among Tribal Populations: Healthcare Inequalities, Social Challenges, and the Emerging Role of AI-Based Clinical Decision Systems

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now one of the most serious public health problems on a global scale. Non-communicable diseases are now affecting those populations who are mainly urban, but no longer are limited to only urban populations. Tribal groups, historically well known for being affected by infectious diseases or malnutrition, now suffer increasingly from diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer (Kaur et al. 250). The introduction of chronic non-communicable diseases has resulted in an epidemiological transition among these tribal populations, which in turn is associated with poverty, social exclusion, nutritional imbalance, the inaccessibility to health care, environmental vulnerability, changing lifestyles and a lack of awareness regarding their health (Sathiyanarayanan et al. 342).

In addition, tribal populations in India experience significant and pervasive systemic inequalities with regard to accessing health care as a result of location (geographical isolation), lack of resources (infrastructure and trained medical personnel), limited transportation and economic marginalization (Mohindra & Labonté). In addition, the development of drought conditions, migration, unemployment, and a lack of rural healthcare systems in places like Rayalaseema within Andhra Pradesh has made tribal individuals even more susceptible to chronic illnesses and has placed increased burdens on them as a result of their status as vulnerable populations.

Through critical assessments, the review article examines how the growing number of NC Diseases affecting tribal populations in India is related to various factors, including societal/cultural, economic/financial and other healthcare practices relative to a variety of NC diseases. The Article also explores how AI-based healthcare systems, predictive analytics, telehealth, and other clinical decision-making support systems can improve outcomes and healthcare management for Indigenous people with NC diseases. Furthermore, the paper argues that while technology can help to reduce healthcare inequalities for tribal people, it requires the integration of culturally competent healthcare practices, community involvement/education, and ethical public policy.