The Link Between Climate Change & Health in India
Author: Neha Wadekar
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue. While it is often described as an environmental issue, growing scientific evidence clearly shows that it is also a major threat to human health. It is directly affecting human health, especially in developing countries like India. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, air pollution, floods and food shortages are already affecting millions of people. It became clear that climate change is increasing disease, worsening existing health problems, and creating new risks for vulnerable populations in India.
India is particularly at risk because of its large population, poverty levels, dependence on agriculture, and unequal access to healthcare and Climate change acts as a multiplier, making existing health and social problems worse (IPCC, 2022). These articles explain how climate change is affecting health in India. For a developing country like India, the health implications of climate change are especially severe due to high population density, socioeconomic inequalities, dependence on agriculture, rapid urbanization, and limited public health infrastructure in many regions.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Rising Temperature and Heat Stress
One of the most noticeable impacts of climate change in India is increase in extreme heat. Scientific study shows that human activities have made the heat waves more strong, frequent and intense. India has experienced severe heat waves in recent years which leaded to thousands of deaths. Heat affects the human body by causing dehydration, exhaustion, kidney stress, and heart problems. Akhtar (2007) found that mortality rates increase significantly during heat wave periods in India. Elderly people, children, and outdoor workers are most vulnerable like with low immunity power. According to the Lancet Countdown (2023), heat exposure among vulnerable populations in India has increased drastically over the past two decades. Urban areas face more worse situation due to the urban heat island effect, where buildings and roads trap heat. As the temperatures continue to rise, heat-related illness and mortality are expected to increase.
Spread of Infectious Diseases
Climate change affects the temperature and rainfall, which directly affect the spread of infectious diseases. Warmer temperatures allow mosquitoes to breed faster and survive longer. Diseases such as malaria and dengue are highly sensitive to climate conditions. Karmakar and Pradhan (2020) found that malaria incidence in Odisha increased due to changes in rainfall and temperature patterns. More of the studies also suggest that climate change may increase mosquito habitats into new regions of India. Mosquito borne diseases and water borne diseases are start increase during heavy rainfall and flooding. Floods contaminate the drinking water resources which leads to diseases like diarrhea, cholera and leptospirosis. According to Haines et al. (2006), climate change increases the risk of infectious disease and it effects the developing countries since they are the most vulnerable.
Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases
Climate change and air pollution are closely connected because the rapid burning of fuels causes chemical reaction in the atmosphere which contribute to air pollution and also affect the climate. Kaur and Pandey (2021) explain that rising temperatures increase ground-level ozone formation, which worsens respiratory problems. India already faces severe air pollution, especially in cities like Delhi. Air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature death in India. Climate change worsens pollution by increasing heat and trapping pollutants in the atmosphere. Reducing fossil fuel use can both slow climate change and improve public health immediately.
Food Security and Malnutrition
India’s agriculture is entirely depends on stable climate condition. Irregular monsoons, droughts and rising temperatures reduce the crop productivity. Because of unpredictable climate change food shortages increase the malnutrition especially among children. Bush et al. (2011) state that malnutrition weakens immunity and increases vulnerability to infections. The IPCC (2022) warns that crop yields in South Asia may decline further due to climate change, increasing food insecurity. Climate-related reductions in food availability could increase global mortality due to undernutrition. For India, where child malnutrition is already a concern, this presents a serious health threat.
Food, Disasters and Mental Health
Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme rainfall in India. The Kerala Flood of 2018 caused the widespread destruction and health crisis and resulted as a outbreaks of water borne diseases and psychological stress in affected population. Disasters not only cause injuries and infections but also lead to anxiety, depression, and trauma. It emphasize that climate change affects mental health, especially among vulnerable communities who lose homes and livelihoods. India’s disaster preparedness systems need strengthening to reduce long-term health consequences.
Gender and Social Inequality Dimensions
Climate change impacts are not distributed equally across populations. Sorensen et al. (2018) show that women in India face disproportionate health risks due to social and economic inequalities. During droughts, women travel longer distances to collect water, increasing physical strain. During disasters, women face higher risks of malnutrition and reproductive health complications. Women in India are more affected by climate change. In rural areas, women collect water and manage households. During droughts, they travel longer distances for water. Women also face higher risks of malnutrition and reproductive health problems during climate disasters. Climate vulnerability also intersects with poverty, caste, occupation, and geography. Outdoor laborers, slum dwellers, tribal populations, and coastal communities are at elevated risk. Majra (2009) and Singh and Dhiman (2012) both highlight that social determinants of health significantly shape climate vulnerability.
Climate Change and the Indian Disease Burden
Singh and Dhiman (2012) discuss the specific Indian context of climate change and health. They explain that even small increases in temperature and humidity can significantly alter the transmission patterns of infectious diseases. India already faces a high burden of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Warmer temperatures and irregular rainfall create favorable breeding conditions for mosquitoes, increasing disease transmission.
Similarly, changes in rainfall patterns and flooding events contaminate drinking water sources, leading to outbreaks of diarrheal diseases. The authors highlight that climate change also affects food production, which can lead to malnutrition, particularly among children. Since nutrition plays a critical role in immunity, undernourished populations become even more vulnerable to infections (Singh & Dhiman, 2012).
Health System Challenges
India’s healthcare system faces challenges in responding to climate-related health issues. Bush et al. (2011) recommend integrating climate data into disease surveillance systems. Countries must build climate-resilient health systems that can respond to emerging risks. Children, elderly individuals, and low-income populations are also more vulnerable to heat, malnutrition, and disease (IPCC, 2022). Without strong public health planning, the burden of climate-related diseases may overwhelm healthcare infrastructure.
Government of India – Climate Change
This is an important Indian government-supported study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with other institutions. The report titled “Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region” explains how rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, and heat waves are increasing health risks in India. It clearly mentions that heat-related deaths are rising and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are expected to spread further due to changing climate patterns. This report is important because it is India-specific and policy-oriented. It also discusses how Indian healthcare systems need climate adaptation planning.
WHO Report on Climate Change and Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published multiple reports explaining how climate change affects global health, including India. The WHO report titled “Climate Change and Health” explains that climate change increases heat stress, malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and water-related illnesses. It also estimates that climate change will cause thousands of additional deaths each year globally between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. This study strengthens your assignment because it provides global scientific backing and supports the Indian findings from other studies.
CONCLUSION
Research from more than fifteen major studies clearly shows that climate change is already affecting health in India. Rising temperatures increase heat-related deaths. Changing rainfall patterns spread infectious diseases. Air pollution worsens respiratory and heart conditions. Floods and droughts cause food shortages and mental health problems. Vulnerable populations suffer the most. Climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a public health crisis. Protecting human health in India requires reducing emissions, improving healthcare systems, strengthening disaster preparedness, and supporting vulnerable communities.
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