Background Rural urbanization—the transformation of rural areas into urban-like settlements—is accelerating in India due to demographic shifts, government initiatives (e.g., PMAY-G, Rurban Mission), infrastructural development, and remittance-driven investments. This systematic review explores how rural urbanization influences public health, focusing on emerging health impacts and determinants. Two distinct models of urbanized rural areas (URAs) were identified: proximity-based and remittance-driven. While these areas experience improved housing, sanitation, and healthcare access compared to traditional rural areas, they also face a dual burden of disease— rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) alongside persistent communicable diseases—due to inadequate infrastructure planning, environmental degradation, and lifestyle transitions. Health determinants were analyzed using the WHO social determinants framework, revealing significant differences from traditional rural areas across physical, economic, behavioral, and environmental dimensions. A fishbone analysis was used to illustrate interconnected causes of health issues, including air and water pollution, dietary shifts, poor ventilation, and socioeconomic disparities. The review concludes that rural urbanization requires differentiated health planning, including the upgradation of PHCs, NCD screening programs, environmental monitoring, and targeted health education. Addressing these needs with context-specific strategies is vital to ensuring equitable and sustainable public health in transitioning rural landscapes.
M. Siva Durgaprasad Nayak (Thu,) studied this question.