Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerability Factors & Groups - Risk Radar: Pinpointing Periled

• Vulnerability Triad:
  • Exposure: Geographic (coastal, urban heat islands, flood/drought-prone), Occupational (outdoor workers).
  • Sensitivity: Age (elderly >60 yrs, children <5 yrs), pre-existing conditions (CVD, respiratory, malnutrition), physiological susceptibility.
  • Adaptive Capacity: Socio-economic status (poverty, illiteracy), healthcare access, infrastructure (housing, WASH), social capital.
• Key At-Risk Groups (India):
  • Elderly, Children (<5 yrs), Pregnant women.
  • Outdoor workers (farmers, construction).
  • Urban poor (slum dwellers).
  • Coastal & island communities.
  • Tribal populations.
  • Persons with chronic illness/disabilities.

⭐ Over 75% of India's districts are extreme weather event hotspots, with a significant overlap with vulnerable populations living in these areas.

Key Health Impacts - Health Siege: Climate's Assault

(📌 HINDS: Heat, Infections, Nutrition, Disasters, Stress)

• Direct Effects (Heat & Disasters):
  • Heat-related illnesses: Heatstroke, exhaustion; ↑ cardiovascular mortality. Affects outdoor workers, elderly.
  • Extreme weather events: Injuries, deaths from floods, cyclones (e.g., coastal states).
• Indirect Effects (Infections):
  • Vector-borne diseases (VBDs): ↑ Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, JE; altered vector ecology.
  • Water-borne diseases: ↑ Cholera, typhoid, diarrhoeal diseases; contamination post-floods.
  • Air pollution & Allergens: Worsens asthma, COPD; ↑ respiratory infections.
• Other Critical Impacts (Nutrition & Stress):
  • Malnutrition: Crop failures → food insecurity, stunting.
  • Mental health: Anxiety, depression, PTSD post-disasters.
  • NCD exacerbation: Worsening of existing chronic conditions.

⭐ Climate change is projected to increase diarrhoeal disease burden by up to 10% by 2030 in some regions of India.

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Adaptation & Resilience - Protective Dome: Defending Defenseless

• Adaptation: Adjustments to reduce climate change harm & enhance resilience. Goal: ↓Vulnerability, ↑Resilience.
• Key Health Adaptation Strategies:
  • Early Warning Systems (EWS): For heatwaves, floods, vector-borne diseases (e.g., NCDC alerts).
  • Climate-Resilient Health Infrastructure: Withstand extreme events, provide cooling.
  • Integrated Surveillance: Link climate data with disease patterns (e.g., IDSP).
  • Capacity Building: Train healthcare workforce on climate-sensitive illnesses.
  • WASH: Ensure safe water, sanitation, hygiene.
  • Heat Action Plans (HAPs): City/state-level preparedness.
• Building Resilience:
  • Strengthen primary healthcare & public health systems.
  • Community participation & awareness programs.
  • Inter-sectoral coordination (Health, IMD, NDMA).

⭐ The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) is India's key initiative for health adaptation, focusing on preparedness and response.

India's Response - Policy Power-Up: India's Shield

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Guides national climate actions via 8 missions (e.g., Water, Green India, Sustainable Habitat).
• National Health Policy (NHP) 2017: Emphasizes addressing social & environmental health determinants.
• National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health (NPCCHH):
  • Focus: Strengthening health systems against climate-sensitive illnesses, protecting vulnerable populations.
  • Components: Enhanced surveillance, early warning systems, capacity building, vulnerability assessment, health adaptation plans.
• State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Tailor NAPCC to state-specific needs.
• Disaster Management Act, 2005: Provides legal framework for disaster risk reduction & management.

⭐ The NPCCHH aims to build climate-resilient health systems and is implemented by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Children (<5 yrs) & elderly face ↑ risks from heat stress & vector-borne diseases.
• Pregnant women are susceptible to adverse birth outcomes from climate-related stressors.
• Coastal communities & urban poor face ↑ vulnerability to floods & water insecurity.
• Outdoor workers (e.g., farmers) suffer disproportionately from extreme heat & air pollution.
• Individuals with chronic illnesses (CVD, respiratory) experience worsening conditions.
• Low-income populations exhibit ↑ susceptibility & ↓ adaptive capacity to climate change_