From Smog to Sickness: Understanding Air Pollution in a Changing Climate

January 2026

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – India Research Center hosted a webinar “From Smog to Sickness: Understanding Air Pollution in a Changing Climate,” on January 28, 2026. 

This was the second session in our webinar series, “Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India. 

The discussion began with opening remarks by Dr. Bhargav Krishna, Convenor, Sustainable Futures Collaborative. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring global and national experts: 

• Dr. Amruta Nori-Sarma, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Population Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Dr. Joel Schwartz, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Dr. Poornima Prabhakaran, Director, Centre for Health Analytics and Research Trends, Ashoka University, Deputy Director and Head, Environmental Health, Centre for Chronic Disease Control
• The discussion focused on the growing global and national burden of air pollution and its visible impact on health, particularly its effects on respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, as well as maternal and neonatal health. The speakers addressed the critical data gaps and research needs in aligning air quality monitoring, exposure assessment, and health surveillance systems. The discussion emphasized the priority adaptation measures and integrated control strategies to strengthen health system resilience, concluding with reflections on the need for multi-sectoral, evidence-based strategies to sustainably reduce the disease burden associated with air pollution.