India conducted its last national population Census in 2011. Which of the following is an impact of pandemic-related Census postponement on health planning?
- A Denominator for health indicators now uses projected population estimates ✓
- B All national health programmes are suspended until Census is conducted
- C DLHS-4 data is used as the official Census substitute
- D The SRS is replaced by the Census for mortality data
Correct answer: A. Denominator for health indicators now uses projected population estimates
Explanation
Since India's 2021 Census was postponed (due to COVID-19), population denominators for national health indicators, programme targets, and district-level planning rely on population projections based on the 2011 Census data, applying agreed annual growth rates. This is the standard practice; national programmes continue using projected denominators. DLHS and NFHS are health surveys, not Census substitutes.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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