Health SDGs are at risk from climate change: Evidence from India

Climate change poses significant risks to human health in India, with 80% of the population located in areas highly vulnerable to extreme events, such as cyclones, floods and heatwaves. While India has made progress on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), risks from climate change can undermine the achievements. This study examines the impact of climate vulnerability on health related targets under the SDG2 on Zero Hunger and SDG3 on Good Health and Well-being. Statistical and econometric methods including a multivariate logistic regression are used to examine the relationship between climate vulnerability, social and economic determinants of health and health outcomes in 575 districts of rural India. 2 national datasets are used for the analysis, namely, a health survey and a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, with a sample size of 154,547 children and 447,348 women. A highly significant and negative relationship is found between climate vulnerability and attainment levels of health outcomes. Districts that are highly vulnerable to climate change consistently underperform on the studied health targets as compared to districts which are less vulnerable to climate change. For instance, the chance of children being underweight and that of women having non-institutional deliveries, is 1.25 and 1.38 times higher, respectively, in districts that are highly vulnerable to climate change than districts that are less vulnerable. While the extent of the adverse impact varies, the findings establish the necessity to take account of the adverse impacts of climate change on health outcomes, apart from the socio-economic and access related factors that have conventionally been considered as relevant in influencing these outcomes. in LMICs like India. There is an urgent need for timely action to address climate change risks, including effective adaption in health, to ensure that the desired health and well-being outcomes can be achieved and sustained, amidst rising climate risks.