Children in climate-vulnerable districts face 25% higher risk of being underweight: Study

Children in India’s climate-vulnerable districts face a higher risk of poor health outcomes, a new analysis has found. The study reports that rates of underweight children are 25 per cent higher in districts exposed to greater climate risks.

Published in the journal ‘PLOS One’, the research was carried out by the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi. The findings highlight how climate change is already affecting basic health indicators and could slow progress towards India’s sustainable development goals.

The team analysed data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) alongside climate vulnerability assessments prepared by the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).

According to the researchers, districts with higher climate vulnerability perform worse on multiple health indicators, including child nutrition, maternal health and access to essential healthcare.

One key finding is that women in these districts are 38 per cent more likely to give birth outside a health facility, raising concerns about maternal and newborn care.

The study notes around 80 pre cent of India’s population lives in areas frequently exposed to climate-related stress, such as heavy rainfall, rising temperatures, floods and cyclones. These pressures, the authors said, can slow progress towards both national and global development goals, particularly those related to health and nutrition.

The analysis also shows that children in climate-vulnerable districts face higher risks of wasting and stunting, with likelihoods rising by 6 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Residents of these districts also report greater difficulties in accessing medical care.

The researchers emphasised the need for health systems to factor in climate vulnerability when planning interventions. Until now, most policies have focused mainly on socio-economic conditions and access to services. The study argues that climate exposure must also be considered, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India.

Integrating climate adaptation into health planning, the authors suggest, could help prevent setbacks in maternal and child health as extreme weather events become more frequent.