Harms from Heat-Health Risks: Morbidity Evidence from India and Global Learnings for Policy Action

Increasing temperatures in India, along with a rise in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves, pose health risks. Similar challenges from heat events are being faced across geographies, in both high and low-and-middle-income countries. This paper examines the evidence on heat-health risks for the Indian population using a national level dataset on over 500,000 individuals and 63 illnesses. It also synthesizes global evidence and scholarship on heat-health risks through a narrative review of the literature on morbidity outcomes. The results from the data analysis and the synthesized findings establish that significant morbidity is associated with heat stress experienced during the summer months, and that specific illnesses are aggravated by heat, especially for vulnerable sub-groups such as older adults, females and outdoor workers. The paper presents evidence on stressors and factors that influence health outcomes including pre-existing illnesses, socio-economic vulnerability and planned heat adaptation responses. It identifies the determinants of risk, specific knowledge gaps for further research and multiple options for risk management which can be considered particularly for low income contexts and LMICs, including India. The study provides an evidence base along with specific recommendations to inform policy on adoption of short- and long-term strategies for reducing HRIs and strengthening health system resilience. There is an urgent need for health sector actors to actively engage in expanding evidence on heat related health risks and in building resilience.