Analyzing the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health in Indian Coastal Regions

Abstract

Climate change is a global phenomenon. India is at a high risk of climate change alongside China and USA (Roy, 2019). With flat coastal terrain, shallow continental shelf, unique geographical location, Indian coastal plains are at high risk of climate hazards (The World bank, 2021). Eastern coast of India is more vulnerable to climate change and is prone to natural disasters like tsunamis and cyclones (Gupta, et al, 2021). Other climatic hazards witnessed by the region are sea level rise, heatwave, drought, flooding, storm surge. In the recent years, climate change is adversely impacting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the people at large. It is causing malnutrition and leading to various diseases i.e. vector borne diseases like malaria, dengue; water borne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and causing heat and thermal stress.  Thus this study aims to analyse the impact of climate change on physical health of people residing in the coastal areas, which are more prone to flooding and cyclones. It will examine the existing gaps in the policies related to impact of climate change on health and suggest policy recommendations for the same. It strives to explore the following research questions: how is climate change impacting health of the people and what are the risks and vulnerabilities associated. Which diseases are being caused by climate change on human beings? What are the policy gaps in the area of climate change  and its impact on  health and what are the gender perspectives associated? This research work will provide policy recommendations to the government for formulating climate change policy on health based impacts of climate change.