Health on a hot planet

Source-This post on Health on a hot planet has been created based on the article “All the way a hotter planet makes us sicker” published in “The Indian Express” on 26 April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper 2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education and GS Paper 3-Disaster Management

Context– A large analysis of 266 studies from around the world, published in 2022, found that heat waves are linked to a 11.7% increase in deaths. The risk was highest for stroke and heart disease.

In 2023, the Earth experienced its hottest year on record, with scientists agreeing that it’s likely to keep getting hotter throughout this century because of climate change.

 How are heat waves measured and what does it represent?

Heat waves are measured by both the actual high temperatures and relative rise in comparison to seasonal, “normal” values recorded in earlier years. However, it is not only the temperature that matters.
Apart from temperature, a heat wave represents a combination of heat and humidity. At any level of heat, its impact on the human body is amplified if humidity is high in the ambient air. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says that such “moist heat” stress has increased by 30 % between 1980 and 2020.

What are the negative impacts of rising temperatures on humans?

1) Impact on health security-

A) Heat affects the body by causing dehydration, making it harder for the skin to cool through sweat, widening blood vessels, and thickening the blood, which raises the risk of blood clots.

B) Prolonged heat exposure can severely damage health through acute and chronic effects on non-communicable diseases. Right now, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause 65% of deaths in India, mostly affecting people in their productive mid-life years. Climate change’s heat effects will only make this problem worse.

C) It increases the risk of brain strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, kidney damage, congenital cataracts. It also delays healing of surgical wounds.

D) Wildfires, triggered by extreme heat, release harmful particles and chemicals like PM 2.5, ozone, carbon monoxide, and others. These can cause widespread inflammation, raising the chances of heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes, and even cancer due to substances like benzene and formaldehyde.

2) Threaten nutritional security-

A) Climate change, through heat stress, water stress, and increased carbon dioxide levels, threatens nutrition security by reducing crop yields, nutrient quality (zinc, protein, iron), and availability of protective foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish. This can lead to widespread deficiencies and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
For ex– by 2050 India could have 49 million more zinc-deficient people, 38.2 million more lacking protein, and 106.1 million children and 396 million women with iron deficiency.

3) Impact on health infrastructure– Healthcare systems will have to deal with rising number of vector-borne and water-borne infections; non-communicable diseases (strokes; heart attacks; diabetes; respiratory disease; cancers); mental health disorder .
Further, there will be a rise in the number of climate refugees which may put additional pressure on healthcare infrastructure, supply chains and personnel.

What should be the way forward?

There is a need for robust adaptation plans needed to address the health impacts of climate change and heat waves.

1) Heat Action Plans- There should be HAPs designed specifically for urban and rural areas.

Read more- Heat Action Plans

2) Smart Agriculture-There should be promotion of climate smart and climate resilient agriculture.

3) Sensitization of public– There is a need to educate the public and healthcare workers and plan to handle the increased healthcare needs during heatwaves.

4) Robust urban planning-Cities should include heat shelters, water stations, reflective roofs and paints for houses, well-ventilated homes, and more green spaces in their plans.

5) Personal Care– People should wear light, loose clothes, use umbrellas or hats, and drink plenty of water.

Question for practice

Highlight the negative impacts of rising temperatures on humans?