Analysis of Heat and Associated Health Risks in Delhi, India

Abstract

Climate change has added significant challenges to nation’s worldwide, particularly in Asian countries due to their heavy reliance on climate-sensitive industries like forestry, fisheries, and tourism, Asian countries struggle economically and are slow to seize development opportunities. It has a significant impact on human health, with extreme heat and air pollution leading to thermal discomfort and health problems for city dwellers. Amplified heat waves, elevated levels of air pollution, and extreme weather occurrences are some of the issues faced by city dwellers. Climate change has aggravated health issues in Delhi, India, that includes respiratory and heat-related illness. The present study explores a link between temperature variations, land surface temperatures, and health outcomes to assess climate change risks with heat as the prime focus area in Delhi. It investigates the relationship between average maximum temperature and mortality and find strong positive correlations. It explores yearly land surface temperature variations and the hospital visits and strong correlation exists with temperature for health outcomes like stroke and diabetes. This study analyzes the impact of temperature variations on specific health conditions. Accordingly, the proposals could be framed through understanding of the relationship between heat and health on vulnerable population.