Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue but an emerging public health concern. rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, humidity, and extreme weather conditions are also contributing to several lesser-known health problems While heatwaves and heatstroke are among its most visible consequences.
One such emerging concern is the effect of rising night-time temperatures on sleep. “The rise in night-time temperatures can significantly affect sleep quality and duration. A lack of adequate sleep impacts a person’s ability to focus, affects the immune system , disrupts hormonal levels and takes a toll on mental well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation may also contribute to health conditions such as high blood pressure,” explains Dr Gopal. Climate disruption can have a considerable impact on food security and nutrition. “Extreme weather conditions can disrupt agricultural production and food distribution systems. When crops are damaged and food prices rise, access to nutritious food may become increasingly difficult for certain sections of the population. This can contribute to micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women,” explains Dr Gopal. Instead, a more comprehensive and long-term public health approach is required. “India must move away from addressing the impact of climate change on health as an episodic process related only to the summer or monsoon months. Surveillance of climate-sensitive diseases , heat-health action plans, early warning systems, better urban planning and stronger healthcare services are crucial.
Indians have lost approximately 64 hours of sleep annually between 2021 and 2025 owing to increasing night-time temperatures, according to the Lancet Countdown Report .
India needs to move away from treating climate-related health concerns as seasonal problems limited to summer or monsoon months, according to Dr Gopal. Healthcare professionals must also increasingly consider environmental and climatic exposures while evaluating patients,” she says.
