How climate change directly or indirectly affects public health

Climate change is more than an environmental issue – it has increasingly serious consequences for public health, especially in regions already facing socio-economic challenges, such as India. Rising temperatures, changing monsoon patterns, and increasing intensity of extreme weather events not only damage the environment, but also have serious impacts on human health, food security, and the prevalence of disease. This article examines these health consequences and highlights the financial and social costs of climate change to communities in vulnerable regions.

Impact of climate change on health in vulnerable regions

1. Temperature rise and health risks

Rising global temperatures are leading to extreme heat, especially in countries like India. Extreme heat poses serious health risks, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cardiovascular stress and respiratory problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heat-related illnesses can be fatal, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Estimated cost: India's healthcare system is under increasing financial burden. Recent figures suggest that the country spends approximately $10 billion annually on heat-related health crises and treatment of heat-related illnesses (Source: WHO ).

2. Change in monsoon regime and malnutrition

Climate change has disrupted traditional monsoon cycles, leading to prolonged droughts or excessive rainfall, affecting agricultural productivity. Such variability in food production increases the risk of malnutrition, especially among rural populations that rely on seasonal crops. Malnutrition weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability to disease, exacerbating health inequalities.

Economic costs: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India loses about $12 billion every year due to reduced agricultural productivity and consequent increase in malnutrition (Source: FAO).

3. Spread of transmissible diseases

Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall create favorable conditions for the breeding of disease vectors such as mosquitoes, leading to the escalation of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases. The Lancet reports that climate change could lead to a 15-20% increase in malaria and dengue in South Asia by 2050 (Source: The Lancet).

Cost of treatment: Treatment of communicable diseases in India costs an estimated US$6 billion annually, according to local health agencies, and current climate change is expected to double this cost by 2030.

Personal views of medical workers and affected communities

Local health workers have noted a rapid increase in patients with heat-related health problems during the summer months, particularly in urban centers such as Delhi and Mumbai. Dr. Priya Mehta, a health expert in Mumbai, points out that "our health system is overburdened and with increasing climate change, we are seeing an increase in disease cases, which puts additional pressure on resources."

Community members in rural areas are particularly vulnerable as farmers face unpredictable seasons, declining yields and unstable incomes. Many affected people speak of a "climate poverty trap," where health and food costs strain already tight family budgets.

Climate change poses a major public health challenge, leading to increasing economic and social costs, especially in countries with vulnerable populations. Addressing these challenges will require a coordinated global response and significant investment in health infrastructure, climate adaptation strategies and socio-economic support systems. Raising awareness of the public health impacts of climate change is essential to mobilizing action and mitigating its harmful effects on populations worldwide.

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