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ALL THE WAYS A HOTTER PLANET MAKES US SICKER
Relevance: GS 3 – Disaster and disaster management
Why in the News?
- A global study conducted in 2022 analyzed 266 studies.
- It found that heat waves were linked to an7% rise in mortality.
- Among various health risks, stroke and coronary heart disease showed the highest specific risk.
Climate Conditions
- Scientific consensus identifies 2023 as the hottest year on record.
- Predictions suggest increasing temperatures throughout the 21st century.
- Urbanization will expand cities at the expense of forests, intensifying heat and humidity.
Increasing Temperatures and its effects
- Direct heat exposure poses risks to human, animal, and plant health.
- Extreme weather events exacerbate health issues.
- Water scarcity contributes to health challenges.
- Vector-borne and water-borne infections increase.
- Non-communicable diseases such as strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and cancers become more prevalent.
- Mental health disorders rise due to climate-related stressors.
- Food and nutrition insecurity grow due to reduced crop yields and nutrient quality.
- Wildfires Impacts
- Wildfires triggered by excessive heat release particulate matter (PM 2.5) and toxic chemicals.
- These emissions can cause extensive inflammation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and pre-diabetes.
- Chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde present in wildfire emissions also increase cancer risk.
Healthcare System Challenges
- Increased demand strains healthcare systems.
- Movement of displaced climate refugees further burdens healthcare facilities.
- Extreme weather events damage healthcare infrastructure, disrupt supply chains, and affect personnel.
Heat Waves in the Indian Subcontinent
- Heat waves are a pressing concern as summer advances in the Indian Subcontinent.
- Defined by absolute temperatures and relative rises compared to seasonal norms.
- Heat waves comprise a combination of heat and humidity, with high humidity exacerbating their impact.
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports a 30% increase in “moist heat” stress from 1980 to 2020.
- Health Impacts of Heat Waves:
- Heat induces dehydration and impedes the body’s cooling mechanism through perspiration.
- It causes blood vessels to dilate and blood to thicken, increasing the risk of clot formation.
- Air pollution exacerbates heat-related lung and cardiovascular issues.
- Infants, young children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those with comorbidities are particularly vulnerable.
- Women are more susceptible than men to heat-related health problems.
- Effects on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):
- Severe or prolonged heat exposure’s impact on NCDs is often overlooked.
- NCDs, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and circulatory failure, can have acute and chronic effects.
- NCDs already contribute to 65% of deaths in India, with many occurring in productive mid-life.
- Climate change-induced heat effects are expected to worsen the burden of NCDs.
Health Risks Associated with Heat:
- Heat increases the risk of brain strokes (paralytic attacks) due to thrombosis in brain blood vessels.
- It can trigger heart attacks and sudden death by inducing clot formation in coronary arteries.
- Vigorous exercise in hot environments can be dangerous, potentially causing pulmonary embolism from clot migration.
- Heat can damage the kidneys by reducing circulating blood volume.
- Congenital cataract incidence in babies rises during heat waves.
- Surgical wounds may heal poorly in excessively hot weather.
Mortality and Cardiovascular Risks
- A 2022 study of 266 studies worldwide revealed an 11.7% increase in mortality associated with heat waves.
- Stroke and coronary heart disease pose the highest specific risks during heat waves.
- Fatal and non-fatal cardiac arrhythmias also show elevated risks.
- With an aging population and rising cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity), every 1 degree Celsius rise in ambient temperature compounds the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
- Impact on Food Systems and Nutrition Security
- Heat stress, water stress, and increased carbon dioxide levels threaten nutrition security.
- South Asian and sub-Saharan African countries grow staples like rice and wheat with the highest heat tolerance levels.
- A 1-degree Celsius temperature increase could decrease their yield by 10% and make crops deficient in zinc, protein, and iron.
- Estimates suggest that by 2050, India could have millions more individuals deficient in zinc, protein, and iron.
- Loss of protective foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish would increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Rising ocean temperatures will flood coastal agriculture and reduce fish yields, while loss of biodiversity will limit access to nutritious “wild foods.”
Measures to mitigate Heat stroke
- Mitigation efforts to address climate change and global warming must be energetically pursued.
- Adaptation plans should include heat action plans for urban and rural areas.
- Climate-smart and climate-resilient food and healthcare systems need to be developed.
- Public and healthcare provider education on climate-related health risks is essential.
- Anticipatory planning is necessary to meet increased healthcare demands during heatwaves.
- Implementation of heat shelters, water stations, and heat-reflective roofs and wall paints in housing.
- Well-ventilated homes and increased green spaces should be integrated into urban planning.
- Personal protection measures such as wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes, using umbrellas or caps, and drinking plenty of water are crucial.
Mains question
What are the multifaceted health impacts of heat waves and climate change? Discuss adaptation strategies and their importance in mitigating the risks. (250 words)
