Health Matters newsletter: When heat is the central paradigm

The Hindu

22-04-2025

On rising temperatures and climate change, India's air quality, the need for geriatric care services, the landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics, and more
This is not old wine in new bottle, this is mulled wine you forgot to throw spices into, but that glass is frothing with all the overheating that is happening this summer. There is May to come, and if the heat is already that bad, one's brow rises up with beads of sweat at the mere contemplation. So this week, we are talking about the thing that every one is discussing furiously - heat, and that which is not as energetically debated - climate change.
On March 15, some States and cities in India experienced the first of severe heatwaves for the year 2025. This was 20 days earlier than the first severe heatwave in 2024, making it very clear that climate change is indeed upon us.
India's air quality way off WHO markers, Maria Neira, director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), said last week. She urged the Indian authorities to scale up existing programmes, particularly those aimed at reducing household air pollution caused by the use of biomass fuels for cooking. 'We need to consider programmes like providing access to LPG and subsidies, but of course, the effort has to be not only maintained but probably scaled up,' said Ms. Neira.
Staying on air pollution, here's a story about how people in an industrial town on the border of Assam and Meghalaya, battle respiratory issues, skin rashes, living as they do in world's most polluted town. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25-times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. Residents referred to family members and neighbours 'breathing like a fish' thanks to all the pollution. Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, government data indicates.
Here's a report on yet another Study that linked climate change with rising arsenic levels in rice, increasing cancer risks for Asians. According to the study, rising temperatures and CO2 levels could lead to a substantial increase in arsenic levels in rice, potentially causing tens of millions of cancer cases in Asian countries by 2050. Researchers from Columbia University, U.S., explained that an increase in temperatures above 2 degrees Celsius and rising levels of carbon dioxide could be causing changes in soil chemistry, favouring arsenic, which gets more easily absorbed into a rice grain. Contaminated soil and irrigated water while growing rice are known to increase inorganic arsenic in rice.
In the global south, in the south of the Indian subcontinent, heat is a very serious concern. K. Lakshmi and Geetha Srimathi record how the Rising humidity level in a coastal city makes things very uncomfortable for Chennai residents. Wet bulb temperature-induced discomfort is real, if you are living in a coastal city these days.
Meghna M. reports that Parents are worried about heat, even when putting children into summer camps while Serish Nanisetti writes that Telangana prepares for 'warming planet' with higher ex-gratia, district-wise heatwave plan. Already we learnt that Tamil Nadu had declared heat at a state disaster, thus facilitating rehabilitation and funding to address heat-related impacts on people.
Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya brings up the tail with a list of things to do: Beat the heat with people-centric responses, he says, introducing the concept of heat stress early on in the article.
This week we happened to have a couple of articles focusing on elder care. What with a demographic transition in place in the country, swinging more to the grey zone, it is important that healthcare managers and governments begin focussing on how to take care of the elderly. While Serena Josephine M. wrote on the The necessity for, and the challenges that lie in caring for India's elderly population, Shilpa Elizabeth added the community aspect to the equation of elder care.
Equitable access and affordable health care should be at the centre of most discussions in the subcontinent. The quality of public health care is a constant and must continue to be a constant source of concern for the government, which is in many places, the largest provider of healthcare to the people. Irfan Shakeer and Dr. Janane S. write about the importance of Making primary health visible, offering accessible and affordable health care.
Dr. Kinshuk Gupta's article A call to action: Haemophilia patients in India need timely diagnosis, affordable treatment again, addresses the same paradigm for an exclusive group of patients, one whose demands on the healthcare system is more regular. All the more of concern to India, which reportedly has the second-highest load of patients with hemophilia A in the world, and is the only developing country amongst the top five countries in the world.
In terms of sheer numbers, chronic kidney disease, likely caused by the epidemic of hypertension and diabetes is alarming. The urgent need to bridge gaps to make dialysis more accessible and affordable for patients. According to the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, which was rolled out in 2016 to provide free dialysis to the poor, about 2.2 lakh new patients with end-stage renal disease get added in India every year, resulting in an additional demand for 3.4 crore dialysis sessions. There are however, only 11,148 haemodialysis machines in the country.
Athira Elssa Johnson turns the spotlight on Newborn screening crucial for early detection of primary immunodeficiency. Globally, the WHO and other studies acknowledge over 430 distinct PI associated disorders, affecting an estimated six million people. Alarmingly, up to 90% of these cases remain undiagnosed.
The Hindu also paid tribute to a dear friend of the health sector, Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, widely acknowledged as the father of Indian angioplasty. He first introduced angioplasty in the country at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, giving patients a convenient and less risky option to open heart surgery and a more effective option than drugs.
In other news, I write about a meta-analyses that recently proved Almonds rein in weight, cholesterol and hypertension in mild to moderate amounts if consistently ingested.
The Prime Minister Narandra Modi pitched for a fitter India, on the occasion of World Liver Day, and while you are at it, see if you can answer our quiz On liver health.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, WHO countries strike landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics after several rounds of discussions. 'At a time when multilateralism is under threat, WHO member states have joined together to say that we will defeat the next pandemic threat in the only way possible: by working together,' said New Zealand's former prime minister Helen Clark, co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Do read The Hindu's editorial on the subject: Landmark agreement: On the draft WHO Pandemic Agreement.
There are a couple of contenders for this week's tailpiece segment. If a Dr. Dog enters the picture, is that a story we can ignore? Geetha Srimathi writes about the four legged teacher: At this Chennai school, 'Dr. Dog' helps children with special needs learn, communicate and build social skills. Saraswati Kendra uses animal-assisted therapy to help its students who have learning disabilities and autism, develop behavioural skills. Psychologists at the school say the pet is used as a bridge to encourage children to open up
Also, if you have asked, or wondered if twins are allergic to the same things, here is an answer. Breanne Hayes Haney in The Conversation: Are twins allergic to the same things? The short answer is 'Yes, they can be allergic to the same things, but not always'. Hit on the link to learn more.
As usual, we have a rich bunch of explainers this week:
Zubeda Hamid wonders Why health insurance premiums are so high in India in the In Focus podcast.
Dr. Ashok Chacko writes on Understanding irritable bowel syndrome and how to manage it.
In the All you need to know about: Bindu Shajan Prappadan writes on Gluten allergies, also check this on Blood pressure.
Dr. Abhijit Joshi answers a question many are asking: Doctor, will I ever run again? On life after a heart attack.
Dr. Nagarajan V. explains The role of vaccines in protecting communities from disease.
C. Maya lays out the context on Why ASHA workers are protesting in Kerala?
Dr. Arvind Radhakrishnan Demystifies the many causes behind syncope
A. Jaishree Gajaraj writes on the science behind 'miracle babies' born of uterine transplants
Niranjana P.S. tells you How your immune system reacts through anaphylactic shocks to protect you from the 'invaders'
If you have a few extra moments, also check out the following links:
Trials demonstrate safety of stem cell therapy for Parkinson's
Doctors urge vigilance amid rise in accidental ingestions among kids during summer vacations
Navaneeth Krishna V.: Tiny pacemaker ups the ante on device's abilities
Afshan Yasmeen: Soon all hospitals may have to share data on elective joint surgeries with Health Department
Govt bans the manufacture, sale of 35 fixed-dose combination drugs
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