Vulnerability to climate change induced health issues

Source– This post is based on the article “Indians vulnerable to climate change-induced health issues” published in “The Hindu” on 14th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently, a research paper has highlighted the vulnerability of Indians to climate change-induced health issues.

What are the Findings of the Study?

The study focused on measuring district-level exposures, sensitivities, adaptive capacities (ACs) and health vulnerabilities for all the 640 districts of India (Census 2011) and used 50 indicators.

1) Around 56% of India’s population, residing in 344 districts, confront elevated health vulnerability attributed to climate change.

2) 298 districts exhibit high or very high levels of exposure, accounting for approximately 52% of India’s population.

3) Almost 30% of India’s population living in 184 districts are faced with very high and high sensitivity.

4) In 153 districts, housing one-fifth of India’s population, adaptive capacities are assessed to be moderate and low.

5) In select districts with high infant mortality rates and poor child health indicators, underdeveloped primary healthcare is a significant contributor to heightened vulnerability.

What are the Measures Suggested?

1) Effective primary healthcare systems can address the rising burden of both non-communicable and communicable diseases exacerbated by climate change.

2) Addressing inequalities in the distribution of various social determinants of health could reduce health vulnerability such as sustainable livelihoods, improving working conditions, providing social safety nets, etc.

3) Ensuring a robust and dynamic health system data architecture to ensure evidence-based policy making.

4) Engaging institutions of local self-governance with the climate and health agenda to localise adaptation and mitigation efforts and strategies.

UPSC Syllabus- Environment