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Q. Discuss the multifaceted impact of climate change on human health in India, emphasizing the direct and indirect consequences on public health systems and disease dynamics. Critically evaluate the adequacy of India’s existing health infrastructure to address these challenges.

Answer-

Climate change poses a profound threat to human health, particularly in densely populated and vulnerable regions like India. The escalating impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting precipitation patterns, are disrupting ecosystems and altering disease dynamics, leading to a surge in health risks and challenges.

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in India

• Heat-related Illnesses: Rising temperatures, exemplified by India’s hottest summer in 122 years in 2022, led to extreme heatwaves with temperatures reaching 50°C (122°F). This resulted in a notable surge in heat-related illnesses, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children.
• Air Pollution: Climate change exacerbates air pollution, as evidenced by Delhi’s 2023 severe pollution episode with an AQI of 450. This hazardous air quality correlated with a spike in respiratory illnesses, hospitalizations, and premature deaths.
• Waterborne Diseases: Climate-induced floods in Assam in 2022 contaminated water sources, triggering a widespread outbreak of diarrhea that affected over 100,000 people and resulted in numerous fatalities.
• Vector-borne Diseases: Changing climatic conditions in 2023 contributed to a surge in dengue cases, with over 200,000 reported cases linked to favorable conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vector of dengue.
• Foodborne Diseases: Climate change impacts food safety, exemplified by a 2022 outbreak of food poisoning in Kerala, affecting over 100 individuals due to contaminated food served at a local festival.
• Mental Health: A 2023 study revealed a 20% increase in anxiety disorders and a 30% increase in depression among surveyed individuals in India, attributed to climate change-related stressors such as displacement and exposure to natural disasters.

Source: AQI.in

Direct and Indirect Consequences on Public Health Systems and Disease Dynamics

• Overburdened Health Systems: The increasing burden of climate-sensitive diseases strains India’s healthcare infrastructure. Example: The severe 2022 heatwave overwhelmed hospitals, exacerbating the strain on medical resources, especially in rural areas.
• Emergence and Spread of New Diseases: Climate change alters vector distribution, leading to the emergence of diseases in new areas. Example: Rajasthan experienced a 2021 chikungunya outbreak, previously considered low-risk.
• Disruption of Public Health Programs: Climate-related events disrupt essential public health programs, hindering disease control efforts. Example: Kerala’s 2022 floods disrupted child immunization campaigns, leaving thousands without essential vaccinations.
• Increased Vulnerability of Marginalized Populations: Marginalized groups face disproportionate health risks due to limited resources and infrastructure. Example: The Lancet (2022) found a threefold higher likelihood of climate-sensitive disease deaths in low-income Indian households.
• Challenges in Disease Forecasting and Prevention: Climate change hampers accurate disease prediction, delaying interventions. Example: Environmental Health Perspectives (2023) noted difficulties in predicting malaria outbreaks, reducing the effectiveness of prevention strategies.
• Growing Disparities in Health Outcomes: Climate change widens health disparities, favoring wealthier populations with better adaptation resources. Example: PLOS Medicine (2022) projected up to a 10-year decrease in life expectancy in India by the century’s end, impacting poorer populations disproportionately.

Challenges India’s Existing Health Infrastructure facing

• Infrastructure Disparity: India’s healthcare infrastructure is unevenly distributed, concentrated in urban areas and lacking in rural regions. Rural Health Statistics (2021) reveal a deficit, with only 0.7 sub-centers per 10,000 population compared to the recommended 1.8 primary health centers (PHCs) per 100,000 population.
• Human Resource Shortage: A critical shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas, results in prolonged waiting times and overburdened healthcare workers. Despite the WHO recommendation of a 1:1,000 doctor-to-population ratio, India’s current ratio stands at 1:8,339.
• Funding Challenges: Underfunding of India’s public health system, evidenced by a stagnant expenditure of 1-1.5% of GDP (well below the WHO-recommended 5%), hampers resource availability and infrastructure development.
• Technological Gaps: Limited adoption of technology, with only 13% of healthcare facilities having reliable internet connectivity, hinders healthcare delivery and data-driven decision-making.
• Preventive Care Neglect: A predominant focus on curative care contributes to the burden of preventable diseases. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63% of all deaths, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach to health promotion and prevention.

To tackle these issues, India must focus on fortifying its healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural regions. This involves augmenting the quantity of healthcare facilities, enhancing the training of healthcare professionals, and ensuring ample funding for the public health system. Moreover, a holistic approach is required to confront the distinct health hazards linked to climate change. This entails establishing early warning systems for diseases influenced by climate conditions, intensifying research on the health ramifications of climate change, and fostering public awareness on climate-related health concerns.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/india-faces-escalating-health-crisis-lancet-countdown-report-reveals-alarming-climate-change-impacts/articleshow/105236077.cms