The intersection of health and climate change reveals deep inequities, especially in the Global South, where countries like India face compounding challenges. These challenges arise from both historical legacies of colonialism and current global governance structures that continue to favor the industrialized Global North. The global climate crisis is not just an environmental or economic issue; it has profound implications for public health, especially in countries already grappling with poverty, inequality and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. India’s struggle within this North-South divide highlights the urgent need for more equitable approaches to addressing both health and climate impacts.
Climate change has direct and indirect effects on public health, particularly in countries like India, where the vulnerability of populations is heightened by socio-economic disparities. Rising temperatures, shifting monsoons and extreme weather events are worsening food insecurity, exacerbating malnutrition, and increasing the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. A 2023 systematic review published in Current Nutrition Reports points out that 200 million people in India are malnourished. Further, dengue and malaria are major health threats in India, accounting for 74.37% of the country’s vector-borne disease burden, particularly affecting tropical and subtropical regions.
Climate change in India exacerbates health risks, increasing mortality and morbidity, especially among the poorest communities. Environmental shifts and rapid urbanization intensify air pollution, causing respiratory diseases and premature deaths. The 2024 World Air Quality Report ranked India as the third most polluted country, with an average PM concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter —10.9 times above WHO’s recommended limit. From 2001 to 2019, India saw 37.6 million premature deaths from four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The poorest and most marginalized are disproportionately affected by these challenges.
Heatwaves are already claiming lives in India. In 2024 alone, more than 700 deaths were attributed to heat-related illnesses and over 40,000 heatstroke cases were recorded according to the non-profit HeatWatch. The country’s burgeoning population, coupled with inadequate healthcare facilities and a lack of........