CLIMATE CHANGE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

NEWS: Climate change–> Serious public health emergency

Core Idea of the Article

• Climate change is not just an environmental issue
• It is a serious public health emergency
• It worsens existing diseases and creates new health risks

Climate Change & Health in India

• India is highly vulnerable due to: Dense population, Weak urban infrastructure
• Urban Flooding Issues: Cities like Mumbai face frequent waterlogging
• Leads to: Spread of water-borne diseases–>Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Leptospiro
• Drought-Prone Regions-> Face water scarcity, People use unsafe water sources

Expanding Disease Risk

• Climate change alters: Temperature, Rainfall patterns
• Effects: Increase in: Infections, Allergies, Vector-borne diseases
• Example: Mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue)
• Spreading: Earlier limited to certain areas, now expanding to new regions (e.g., Himachal Pradesh)

Climate Change Threats (Air Pollution Link)

• Rising Air Pollution: Increased use of air conditioners, more greenhouse gas emissions
• 5 (Very Important): Tiny particles that: Enter lungs & bloodstream
• Affect: Lungs, Heart, Kidneys
• Health impacts: Asthma, COPD, Heart attack, Stroke, Kidney disease

Heat Stress & Its Impacts

• Rising temperatures cause: Heat stressàLeads to: Hypertension, Heart attack
  • Stroke: Urban Heat Problem
• Cities like Delhi-NCR & MumbaiàHigh night-time temperatures
  • No recovery time for body
• Vulnerable Groups: Outdoor workers, Infants, Elderlyà Infant risks: Preterm birth, Low birth weight

Impact on Food Security

• Agriculture Disruption: Extreme weather + unseasonal rain: Reduce crop productivity, Cause food shortages
• Nutrition Crisis: Declining nutritional quality of food
  • Leads to: Micronutrient deficiency, Chronic malnutrition (especially children)
• Livestock Impact: Heat stress reduces: Milk production
• Affects: Infant & child nutrition

Way Forward

• Integrate climate action with public health policy
• Strengthen primary healthcare systems
• Promote climate-resilient agriculture
• Improve urban planning and sanitation

Overall Conclusion

• Climate change is a present reality, not future threat
• It is a multi-dimensional crisis
• Needs to be treated as a: Public health emergency