Discussions on mortality in the context of developed countries often centre on the causes and places of death. However, inadequate health care systems coupled with economic and sociocultural factors add another dimension to the issues of mortality and morbidity in developing countries: that of lack of medical attention. The present study indicates that in India, especially in rural India, a large number ofdeaths are still taking place without timely medical attention. The most vulnerable to this phenomenon are the poor, elderly and infants. The study stresses the need to focus urgently on accessibility and availability ofquality medical care, especially for the hard-to-reach and vulnerable population, coupled with effective interventions on information, education and communication.