Climate Change and Public Health: An Interdisciplinary Assessment of Risks and Adaptation Strategies

Abstract

The issue of climate change is no longer remote; it is already having an impact on people's health everywhere. Millions of Indians are at risk due to changing disease patterns, harsh weather, and rising temperatures. This essay examines the effects of climate change on public health, with particular attention to air pollution, heat stress, vector-borne illnesses, and mental health. Based on WHO statistics, official reports, and field observations in states like Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, the study demonstrates that the most affected populations are the elderly, children, and underprivileged people. For instance, compared to the 1990s, older individuals' fatalities from heat-related causes have increased by 167%. As mosquitoes adapt to warmer conditions, dengue and malaria are spreading to new regions. Growing rates of lung disease and asthma are associated with air pollution, which is made worse by climate change. The study also examines harmreducing adaptation techniques, such as early warning systems, green cities, and improved health infrastructure. Climate change will exacerbate health disparities and overload public health systems if immediate action is not taken.