Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India published its first-ever national forecast report on the impact of global warming Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region. The report details impact of climate change on rainfall patterns, temperature, and sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, and effects on the Himalayas in the Indian region. 

 The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the imperative of putting public health first. It has shown how disruption in the public health sector can have serious economic consequences for individuals and the entire nation. For sustainable development, public health must be a priority in risk mitigation, adaptation, and recovery programs. Extreme weather conditions such as cyclones, flash floods, droughts not only disturb social fabric but also lead to a decline in the availability of potable water and food, leading to malnutrition.  

Warm climatic conditions also create a conducive environment for the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya fever, etc. posing serious health concerns. As nations across the world prepare to recover from the pandemic, climate change mitigation and public health must be at the forefront of the response and recovery strategy. 

Through the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, National Center for Disease Control has been working with states to build the capacity of medical officers to understand the impact of climate change on health. It is being done through training programs and mainstreaming of climate impact on human health in the medical curriculum. The program is also creating systems to collect data for evidence-based impact mapping of health issues across the country. 

WHO India office has been closely working with government and other partners in supporting the development of readiness plans and activities, for public health such as conducting health vulnerability and adaptation assessments, health c adaptation plan, assessing the health co-benefits of reducing air pollution, improving water safety and safe management of sanitation services. 

 To know more about WHO’s response to climate change and environmental health, click here