Assessing the impact of climate change on health in South Asia

South Asia emerges as one of the most susceptible regions to a plethora of direct and indirect repercussions stemming from climate change. These include, but are not limited to, the rising sea levels, heightened cyclonic activity, and shifts in ambient temperature or precipitation patterns. Despite an abundance of publications delving into the associated impacts, our objective is to synthesize pertinent literature with the aim of discerning commonalities in research findings, assessing the most affected areas in terms of health, and delving into potential avenues for mitigating the associated impacts.

Notwithstanding its relatively minor contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, South Asia finds itself exceptionally vulnerable to the perils of climate change due to a confluence of factors, including its geographical and topographical positioning, burgeoning population density, rapid urbanization, deficient health infrastructure, and an economy predominantly reliant on agriculture. This region stands at the forefront of vulnerability to various direct and indirect consequences of climate change, such as sea level rise, extreme weather events encompassing cyclones and droughts, as well as alterations in ambient temperature and precipitation patterns.

Our comprehensive review is centered on an in-depth, country-wise exploration of the available literature pertaining to four South Asian nations: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Through this analysis, we seek to evaluate the impacts of climate change from both direct and indirect perspectives. A discernible trend emerges, indicating that extreme weather events exert a palpable impact on health and healthcare systems in areas deemed 'climate-sensitive.' However, noteworthy gaps persist in the existing literature, warranting further investigation to substantiate the link between climate events and their health impacts. This void also presents an opportune moment to contextualize strategies for mitigation and adaptation, crafting more sustainable approaches that contribute to the well-being of both the populace and the planet