Climate Crisis And Public Health

Source: Recognising the impact of climate change on health (The Hindu, November 22, 2023)

Rising Temperatures: With 2023 marking record-breaking heat waves, India faces the grim reality of possibly becoming uninhabitable if temperatures rise by 2°C—a threshold surpassed despite the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C cap target.
Climate Emergencies: Frequent climate catastrophes, such as extreme heat and devastating cyclones, now appear inevitable. This increasing trend threatens food security, job stability, and intensifies healthcare challenges.

Infectious Disease Spread: Climate change magnifies the threat of communicable diseases, encouraging the spread of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. The altering seasons might extend the range of these vectors to previously unaffected regions, like the Himalayas.
Non-Communicable Diseases: Non-communicable diseases also escalate in this changing environment, exacerbated by reduced food and water quality, which compounds general susceptibility to illness.
Aftermath of Natural Disasters: Post-disaster conditions, especially after flooding, are fertile grounds for epidemics. Extended periods of warmth further support the proliferation of water and food-borne diseases.

Rising Temperatures and Health Risks: In India, a 1% temperature increase above 29°C is predicted to raise hospitalisation rates by 8%. Mental health conditions such as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly emerge in the aftermath of climate crises and remain largely unaddressed.
The Urban Heat Island Effect: India’s rapid, unregulated urbanisation exacerbates climate change’s toll, particularly due to the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon results in higher temperatures in cities, impeding air circulation and amplifying the existing stresses on the urban primary health system.
Mitigation and Urban Planning: Effective mitigation necessitates recognizing climate change’s direct and indirect health impacts and the importance of socio-economic factors. Improved urban planning, green spaces, water conservation, and public health strategies will yield broad health benefits and address other crucial determinants of health.

Multi-Level Intervention: Effective climate action requires coordination across global, regional, and local spheres. The specific nature of climate change effects guides where to focus efforts. Every tier of governance plays a critical part in this orchestrated approach.
India’s Recognition and Response: India must acknowledge the significant role of climate change in public health. The next critical step is addressing these issues with determination and informed strategies.
Research and Policy Development: Dedicated researchers are tasked with developing actionable policies. These policies are the frameworks upon which governments can act.
Governmental Decision-Making: Actionable change depends on the convergence of understanding the problem, available policy solutions, and political will. All levels of government, from national to local, must choose to act on research-driven policy options.
Evaluating Progress: Before anticipating any progress, it’s essential to assess whether the prerequisites for change—a problem recognized, a policy formulated, and a decision made—are in place. Only then can we expect to shift the current state of affairs concerning climate change and its health impacts.