The 2023 Lancet Countdown report highlights a worrying rise in climate-sensitive health threats for India and globally, marking an urgent need for climate-adaptive health strategies. In India, malaria is expanding to the Himalayan region, while dengue transmission is spreading across the country, both driven by increasing temperatures that create favorable environments for mosquito-borne diseases.
The report, developed by 122 experts, calls for strengthened healthcare infrastructure, better forecasting of climate-related health threats, and expanded community awareness efforts. Additionally, India’s coastal communities face increased flooding risks due to rising sea levels, making flood adaptation plans critical.
Globally, 2023 is on record as the hottest year, with severe impacts on health and livelihoods. Key findings include:
- Heat stress-related deaths have surged, particularly among seniors, with a 167% increase compared to the 1990s.
- High temperatures have led to the loss of 512 billion labor hours and $835 billion in income, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries.
- Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue are at an all-time high with over 5 million cases worldwide, affecting new regions due to expanding climatic suitability.
- Extreme droughts have affected nearly half of the global land area, impacting water supplies, crop yields, and food security.
Despite these challenges, the report identifies positive trends: decreased air pollution deaths due to reduced coal burning, and record investment in clean energy reaching $1.9 trillion in 2023. Additionally, the renewable energy sector has seen record employment levels, underscoring its role in climate resilience and job security.
The Lancet Countdown calls for revitalized health and climate policies in India, emphasizing the need for adaptive responses to safeguard public health from the escalating threats of climate change.
