India among top countries for heatwave exposure as 3 million climate deaths reported
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains·
Climate-health nexus: a critical GS3 study on vulnerable demographics and climate adaptation.
Why in news
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report identified India as one of the top countries for heatwave exposure in 2025, highlighting the severe health risks posed by rising temperatures.
Background
The report, led by University College London, highlights that older adults in India faced 10.8 billion person-days of heatwave exposure in 2025. It also notes that infants experienced 1.1 billion person-days of exposure.
Facts for Prelims
- Report / IndexLancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change: Report led by University College London
- Fact3 million deaths were attributed to heatwaves caused by climate change between 2016 and 2023
- FactIndia ranked among top countries for heatwave exposure in 2025
Prelims practice question
Which institution leads the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report?
- (a)University College London
- (b)Harvard University
- (c)Indian Institute of Technology
- (d)Oxford University
Show answer
Answer: (a) University College London — The note states the report is led by University College London.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the intersection of climate change and public health in India, focusing on the disproportionate impact of heatwaves on vulnerable demographic groups.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Demographic vulnerability: High morbidity and mortality risks for infants and the elderly due to physiological susceptibility
- Infrastructure gap: Lack of cooling centers and heat-resilient urban planning in high-exposure zones
- Policy urgency: Need for a global health emergency declaration to coordinate climate-resilient healthcare systems
Keywords: Climate-health nexus · Heatwave exposure · Vulnerable demographics · Public health emergency · Climate adaptation
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.