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Published on: May 08, 2025
2 minute read
By: Secondmedic Expert

The Alarming Health Effects Of Climate Change: What You Need To Know

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Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is here, and it's affecting the health of people across the globe. From rising temperatures to extreme weather events, our changing climate is directly impacting our physical and mental well-being. Understanding the health effects of climate change is crucial to preparing ourselves and our communities for a safer, healthier future.

Rising Temperatures and Heat-Related Illnesses

One of the most immediate impacts of climate change is the rise in global temperatures. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration.

Older adults, young children, and people with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk. Cities, with their concrete landscapes and limited green spaces, trap heat more than rural areas, making urban populations especially vulnerable.

Tip: Stay hydrated, avoid going out during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable family members during heatwaves.

Worsening Air Quality

Climate change contributes to air pollution by increasing ground-level ozone and promoting the spread of allergens. Poor air quality can lead to or worsen respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases.

Wildfires, which are becoming more common due to rising temperatures and dry conditions, also release harmful smoke and pollutants into the air, causing breathing difficulties and cardiovascular issues.

Tip: Monitor air quality reports, use air purifiers indoors, and wear masks when pollution levels are high.

Spread of Infectious Diseases

Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall create ideal conditions for mosquitoes, ticks, and other disease-carrying organisms. As these pests expand their range, diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme disease are appearing in new regions where they were once rare or non-existent.

Floods and stagnant water further increase the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, particularly in developing countries with poor sanitation.

Tip: Use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and avoid stagnant water around your home.

Food and Water Insecurity

Climate change affects agriculture by altering rainfall patterns, increasing droughts, and reducing crop yields. This leads to food shortages, malnutrition, and increased food prices.

Water sources are also affected by climate change, with many regions experiencing severe droughts or floods that damage infrastructure. Lack of access to clean water contributes to the spread of disease and poor hygiene, especially in low-income areas.

Tip: Conserve water, support sustainable farming practices, and consider a more plant-based diet to reduce your carbon footprint.

Mental Health Impacts

The psychological impact of climate change is often overlooked but is just as serious. People affected by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or wildfires often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Even those not directly affected may experience "eco-anxiety" — a chronic fear of environmental doom. Young people, in particular, report feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about the future of the planet.

Tip: Stay informed but take breaks from distressing news. Connect with support groups and mental health professionals if needed.

Vulnerable Populations Face Greater Risks

Not everyone is equally affected by the health effects of climate change. People living in poverty, marginalized communities, the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses face greater risks. Limited access to healthcare and resources means they are less equipped to deal with climate-related health problems.

Governments and health organizations must focus on these vulnerable groups while planning climate adaptation strategies.

Conclusion: Time to Act

The evidence is clear: climate change is a health crisis. From rising temperatures and poor air quality to the spread of diseases and mental health issues, its impact is wide-ranging and severe. But it is not too late to take action.

By making small lifestyle changes, advocating for environmental policies, and staying informed, we can protect ourselves and future generations. It is time for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to address the health effects of climate change and build a more resilient world.

Ready to learn more or take action? Discover how you can protect your health and well-being from the health effects of climate change.

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Read FAQs

A. Climate change affects health through increased heatwaves, poor air quality, the spread of infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, and mental health disorders like eco-anxiety.

A. Climate-driven pollution increases asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues, especially in children and the elderly.

A. Yes. Climate-related events such as floods or wildfires can lead to PTSD, anxiety, and eco-anxiety, especially in young people.

A. Warmer and wetter climates are enabling the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya to new regions.

A. Stay hydrated, monitor air quality, eat nutritious food, avoid heat exposure, and get regular health check-ups to catch early signs of illness.

Read Blog

How Early Screening Saves Lives in India

Most people in India visit a doctor only when symptoms become obvious. But diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and oral cancer often develop silently for years. By the time they show clear signs, treatment is harder, more expensive, and less effective. Early screening changes that story. It detects illness before it advances, saves lives, and reduces the long-term burden on families and hospitals.

Why Early Screening Matters

Catching diseases early offers multiple benefits:

Improved survival - A patient diagnosed with breast cancer in Stage I has a survival rate above 90%, but in Stage IV, it drops below 20%.
Lower costs - Treating diabetes at a prediabetic stage is far cheaper than managing kidney or heart complications later.
Better quality of life - Early treatment reduces pain, disability, and stress for families.
Stronger healthcare system - Screening reduces emergency admissions, freeing hospitals for critical cases.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), awareness and participation in cancer screening remain worryingly low across many Indian states. In fact, only a small fraction of eligible women have ever been screened for cervical or breast cancer. This shows the huge gap between policy and practice.

Challenges India Faces

Despite clear benefits, India struggles with:

Low awareness - Many families are unaware of free or subsidized screening programs.
Stigma and fear - Especially around cancers and mental health.
Infrastructure gaps - Rural areas often lack labs, machines, and trained staff.
Data limitations - As noted in NITI Aayog’s Vision 2035 report, India needs stronger health surveillance systems to track, integrate, and act on screening results.

These challenges explain why late diagnosis is so common and why early screening hasn’t yet become routine practice for most Indians.

Innovations in Early Screening

The good news is that India is moving forward.

AI-based tools like Thermalytix are being piloted to detect breast abnormalities at lower cost, even in mobile camps (Nature study, Punjab pilot).
Mobile health camps bring oral, cervical, and breast cancer screening directly to villages.
Telemedicine platforms allow people to consult doctors about screening needs and book diagnostics online.
Policy support through programs like NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke) integrates population-based screening into primary health centres.

These advances are bridging gaps and making screening more accessible to Indians across age and income groups.

A Call to Action for Families

If you are 30 or above, especially with a family history of lifestyle diseases, it’s time to act. Book an annual health checkup, ask your doctor about cancer screening, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Early steps can save not only lives but also years of financial and emotional stress.

Book your preventive screening package with SecondMedic today ? https://www.secondmedic.com

Conclusion

Early screening is not just about tests — it’s about giving yourself and your family the best chance at a healthy future. With India facing rising rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, prevention and early detection are the smartest investments anyone can make. The numbers already show how much difference early action makes. Now it’s up to individuals, families, and communities to take that first step.

India’s healthcare system is evolving, but awareness and participation are key. By using available programs, health surveys, and digital platforms, we can turn early screening from a missed opportunity into a nationwide habit — one that saves millions of lives.

The Numbers Behind the Story

NFHS-5 shows cervical, breast, and oral cancer screening uptake is still below 10% in many states.
NITI Aayog projects that stronger surveillance and early detection could reduce preventable deaths by over 20% in the next decade (Vision 2035 Report).
IAMAI surveys reveal that more than 70% of urban Indians are now open to digital health platforms, which can accelerate screening adoption.
India’s telemedicine and screening market is projected to cross $5.5 billion by 2025 (NITI estimates).

Useful Platforms & Surveys

NFHS (National Family Health Survey): NFHS Data
NITI Aayog Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India
NDAP (National Data & Analytics Platform): ndap.niti.gov.in
Cancer Screening Status Study (Journal of Family Medicine & Primary Care): Read Study

AI-based Breast Screening Study in Punjab (Nature Digital Medicine): Study Link

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