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Source: The post on Impact of climate change on health, has been created on the article “Recognising the impact of climate change on health” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd November 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Environment – Climate change
News: The article discusses how climate change negatively impacts health in India, emphasizing the need for action at various levels to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the related increase in diseases and mental health issues.
About Impact of climate change on health:
WHO’s Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Health: a) Climate change is humanity’s biggest health threat, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). b) It estimates that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths annually from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress between 2030-2050. c) The direct health-related costs of climate change are projected to be USD 2-4 billion per year by 2030.
The Lancet Countdown report links increased disease and food insecurity to fossil fuel reliance, impacting health due to heat.
How does climate change affect health in India?
The impact of climate change on health is a multifaceted issue, with both direct and indirect consequences:
Vector-Borne Diseases: Warmer climates favor the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as they create more hospitable environments for vectors like mosquitoes.
Water and Food-Borne Diseases: Flooding and higher temperatures can lead to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.
Increased Sickness and Deaths: Extreme weather events, like the record heat waves in India in 2023, directly contribute to higher rates of illness and mortality.
Nutrition and Food Security: Climate change affects agriculture, leading to reduced food availability and quality. This can cause malnutrition, especially in vulnerable populations.
Exacerbation of Chronic Conditions: Increased pollution and heat can worsen respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic conditions.
Urban Heat Islands: Dense urban areas with minimal greenery can become significantly hotter than surrounding areas, intensifying the health impacts of heatwaves.
Mental Health: The stress of dealing with climate change impacts, including financial strain and displacement, can exacerbate mental health issues.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What are some government initiatives to overcome this issue?
India is actively addressing climate change and its health impacts through several initiatives:
Climate Change and Health Hub in Delhi: India, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, launched this hub with an aim to enhance knowledge sharing, foster partnerships, and drive innovations in managing climate-related health challenges.
National Health Mission: Targeted at underserved areas, this mission combats communicable and non-communicable diseases, including those exacerbated by climate change, through prevention and control measures.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): In 2018, the government introduced the AB-PMJAY), a major health initiative aimed at providing universal healthcare coverage to the economically weaker sections. This scheme seeks to revolutionize healthcare in India, with goals of reducing poverty, boosting productivity, and enhancing social justice.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Aimed at fulfilling India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the action plan addresses various dimensions of climate change. This plan encompasses missions focused on solar energy, water management, sustainable agriculture, sustainable habitats, greening initiatives, etc.
What should be done?
Reducing Emissions: Implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the National Biofuel Policy and Vehicle Scrappage Policy.
Strengthening Disease Surveillance: Enhancing technologies for real-time tracking of disease outbreaks and adopting a One Health approach.
Socio-Economic Support Systems: Develop systems for social support and health services, considering the socio-economic factors that accentuate climate change impacts.
Policy Development: Researchers should focus on creating policy options to combat the health impacts of climate change.
Government Action: National, state, and local governments need to act on the policy options provided by research.
Urban Planning: Implement better urban planning strategies to mitigate the urban heat island effect. This includes increasing urban greenery and water conservation measures.
International Collaboration: Coordinating with global partners for funding and effective management of health and climate initiatives.
Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Question for practice:
India’s inadequate health systems make our population particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate risks on health.
