New Delhi, Dec. 9 -- India's urban transformation is often framed as a story of rising aspirations and expanding opportunity. Yet, the health systems serving these cities tell a different story.

PRICE's analysis of its ICE 360 data (2023), combined with findings of the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS), reveals an urban health ecosystem that is increasingly fragile.

Instead of the steady progress expected from rising incomes and better connectivity, the evidence points to inconsistent insurance coverage, rising out-of-pocket expenditure and uneven service utilization patterns shaped by gaps in institutional trust and service reliability.

This fragmentation reflects deeper structural imbalances. Urban growth has outpaced the e...