How Social Capital Shapes Healthcare for Older Women: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study in India

India is witnessing rapid demographic changes with an aging population, and ensuring to receive better healthcare services for older adults is a critical public health concern. However, more research has yet to explore the role of social capital (SC) in accessing healthcare services among older adults in India. Thus, this study seeks to address this knowledge gap by examining how social capital influences the access to healthcare services among older adults in India, with a specific emphasis on gender disparities. The study draws data from Longitudinal Agieng Study in India (LASI) Wave-1, with the sample of older adults (aged 45+) who reported visiting healthcare services in the past-year (male=19,835 and female=24,805). Descriptive and Multivariate logistic regression models are used to assess the association between SC and healthcare services. Preliminary findings suggest that SC plays a significant role in healthcare access among older adults in India. Male older adults have higher social capital then Female, as a results they are more likely to access healthcare facilities, while female with lower SC were approaching to public healthcare services. On the other side, Male older are more accessing all type of healthcare facilities despite having low social capital. Promoting social participation and strengthening SC among older adults, particularly women, may be an effective strategy to improve healthcare access in India. It may involve interventions such as community-based programs, social support networks, and policies that facilitate social engagement among older adults. Additionally, addressing gender-specific factors that influence healthcare access, such as social norms, cultural practices, and economic disparities, may be crucial in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services to improve the health and well-being of older populations, especially older women in India.