India’s Rising Health Crisis: The Impact of Climate Change

The effects of climate change on India are becoming impossible to ignore, and they’re showing up in a new place: our bodies. From breathing difficulties in smog-choked cities to changing diets in rural areas, the environmental shifts are fueling a growing epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that don’t just affect the elderly, but increasingly, India’s youth. Heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes—these are conditions our grandparents or parents might have dealt with later in life, but now young people are feeling their impact, and climate change is often the silent culprit.

In urban India, the air we breathe is often as dangerous as it is essential. Cities like Delhi and Mumbai frequently find their skies heavy with pollution, so thick at times that the sun barely shines through. The result? Our air is a cocktail of toxins that can worsen asthma, bronchitis, and even heart disease. Schools in places like Delhi shut down on especially bad days, hoping to shield children from the severe effects of poor air. However, even with school closures, the exposure over time is taking a toll, as children and teens struggle with lung and heart conditions unheard of in past generations.

Recent studies warn that air pollution contributes to millions of deaths in India each year. While adults bear the brunt, young people are increasingly at risk. For children whose lungs are still developing, these pollutants pose life-long risks, making them more vulnerable to chronic respiratory issues and, later in life, severe cardiac issues. Urban youth who grow up in these high-pollution areas are at greater risk for diseases once seen only in older adults, and they’re finding themselves at a crossroads between trying to live active lives and managing persistent health issues.

In rural India, the story isn’t much better. Here, climate change is hitting people’s diets, and as a result, their health. Unpredictable rains, frequent droughts, and rising temperatures are making it harder to grow staple crops. In many regions, farmers are having to shift what they plant, choosing crops that can withstand the new climate pressures but may lack the nutritional value of traditional foods. This disruption means that families who once relied on fresh, homegrown produce now have to turn to cheaper, packaged foods that are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

This change in diet has led to a surge in obesity and diabetes, even in villages where malnutrition was historically the main concern. Children and young people in rural areas are now at risk of what we used to call “lifestyle diseases” but are really the result of a changing climate and reduced access to nutritious food.

Then there’s the heat. India’s summers are getting hotter, and extreme heat waves are more common. For those who work outdoors, like construction workers and farm laborers, the impact can be severe. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat puts incredible strain on the heart, and the body has to work overtime to cool itself down. For healthy adults, this is tough; for people with underlying health issues, it can be deadly.

The connection between heat and heart health isn’t just a short-term risk; repeated exposure to intense heat can lead to long-term cardiovascular issues. Workers who brave the midday sun, sometimes in 45-degree Celsius heat, are often the primary earners for their families. When health issues set in, the consequences ripple through entire households, adding to the burden of care on families already facing economic pressures.

Meanwhile, the mental health toll of climate change is quietly but steadily climbing. From the trauma of losing crops to anxiety about increasingly erratic monsoons, the psychological impact is hard to ignore. India’s youth, many of whom are witnessing these changes up close, report feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of their future. Mental health resources in India are limited, especially in rural areas, leaving young people with few places to turn.

It’s well-documented that prolonged stress affects the body, increasing risks for diseases like hypertension and diabetes. For a young generation, the pressures of climate-related anxiety combined with physical risks create a “double burden” that not only affects their immediate well-being but also heightens their risk of developing NCDs later in life.

India’s response to this growing crisis needs to be multifaceted. While individual health initiatives are valuable, they must be accompanied by strong policy measures that consider both environmental and public health challenges. For example, reducing air pollution will lessen respiratory and heart conditions among urban youth, while policies that support climate-resilient farming can help make fresh, nutritious foods more affordable and accessible in rural areas.

Education also has a role to play. Teaching children about the importance of nutrition, especially in rural schools, and providing subsidies for healthier food options can make a difference in long-term health outcomes. Public cooling centers in high-risk areas, along with alerts on extreme heat days, could also protect those working outdoors from the worst effects of rising temperatures.

Technology could be a game-changer, too. Digital tools like health apps and telemedicine could bring essential medical advice and check-ups to remote areas, allowing families to monitor and manage conditions before they become serious. With more young people than ever connected via smartphones, telehealth could be an affordable and scalable way to address climate-related health challenges. Counseling apps, hotlines, and community-based support for mental health would provide much-needed resources to those grappling with the psychological toll of climate anxiety.

Ultimately, the challenges we’re seeing around non-communicable diseases in India today aren’t just health issues; they’re signals of the broader impact climate change is having on society. For many young Indians, this isn’t about planning for a distant future; it’s about grappling with immediate, urgent concerns. By investing in policies that prioritize both the environment and public health, India has the chance to build a future where clean air, nutritious food, and stable living conditions aren’t luxuries, but basic rights.

Anish Bari is Co-Founder of Obesity Innovation Lab, Mason Fellow- Harvard Kennedy School, Global Shaper Alumni: World Economic Forum