Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action

Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the defining public health challenges of the 21st century, with profound implications for human health, livelihoods, ecosystems, and social equity. Rising temperatures, declining food and water security, worsening air quality, and more frequent extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, cyclones, and wildfires, are contributing to a growing burden of disease morbidity and mortality. These public health threats interact with existing social, economic, and structural vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting populations that are already at greater risk. 

To ensure continued focus and drive strategic action, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – India Research Center launched the webinar series “Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action” which has attracted over 1,000 registrations. The series aims to convene global and national experts to examine the wide-ranging implications of climate change for health and health systems, including its effects on infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental exposures, maternal and neonatal health, and mental well-being.

Discussions explore the current state of science, data gaps, prevention strategies, ongoing programs and interventions, and recommendations for strengthening public health responses in India. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors, the series continues to provide a platform for examining how integrated adaptation measures and multisectoral strategies can strengthen resilient, evidence-based public health responses to climate-driven health risks.