Climate Change: India's Health Emergency Demands Immediate Action

• Climate change is deemed the greatest global health threat of the 21st century, with India experiencing significant health impacts.
• India faces severe health consequences, including increased heatwave days for vulnerable populations, higher mortality from extreme temperatures, and 1.7 million air pollution-related deaths in 2022.
• Climate variability promotes zoonotic spillovers and increases the transmission of water-borne and vector-borne diseases in India.
• Addressing the climate-health link requires institutional convergence and multi-agency partnerships for effective response and prevention.
• Key priorities include climate-focused disease surveillance, resilient health infrastructure, zoonotic monitoring, public health education, and institutional accountability.

Why It Matters: Climate change is India's defining health crisis, demanding urgent, integrated action.