Children living in Indian districts highly exposed to climate change are 25% more likely to be underweight compared to children in less vulnerable areas.
The findings of a new study highlight how climate-related risks directly affect health outcomes, especially in regions already struggling with development challenges.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, shows that districts facing high climate vulnerability consistently fall behind on key health goals. These include stunting, wasting, and access to healthcare services.
Researchers also noted that climate risks intensify existing barriers, which further slow progress towards national and global health targets.
Researchers from Delhi’s Institute of Economic Growth pointed out that nearly 80% of India’s population lives in areas prone to extreme events like cyclones, floods, and heatwaves. They warned that the growing risks linked to climate change could obstruct India’s progress on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These global goals, adopted in 2015, aim to end poverty, ensure gender equality, and provide clean water and sanitation by 2030.
The study drew on data from the National Family Health Survey–Round 5 and climate vulnerability information from the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA). By combining these datasets, the researchers were able to assess how climate exposure intersects with health indicators at the district level.
The analysis also showed that women in highly climate-vulnerable districts were more likely to give birth outside healthcare facilities. The study reported “a 38% higher likelihood of a non-institutional delivery — birth occurring outside a healthcare facility — in districts highly vulnerable to climate change.”
The authors wrote, “The chance of children being underweight and that of women having non-institutional deliveries is (25% and 38%) higher, respectively, in districts that are highly vulnerable to climate change than in districts that are less vulnerable.”
They added that “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.”
Climate vulnerability was also linked to challenges in accessing healthcare. The researchers found a 6% higher chance of wasting — low weight for height — and a 14% higher likelihood of stunting in the most exposed districts.
“Districts which are highly vulnerable in terms of climate, underperform on health metrics including stunting, wasting, being underweight, having non-institutional deliveries and facing problems in accessing health care,” the study said.
The authors stressed that the findings show the need to look beyond socio-economic and access-related factors when assessing health outcomes in low and middle-income countries like India. They said climate change must be recognised as a major determinant of public health.
The team concluded that climate risks must be addressed urgently. They called for strong adaptation measures in the health sector to ensure that improvements in health and well-being can be sustained despite rising climate threats.