Kathmandu, All sectors started experiencing the impacts of climate change. The National Adaptation Program of Action identified public health as one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. The various study reports have suggested that due to the changes in weather pattern, the effects like current health problems. morbidity and mortality have been increasing day by day. Indicators related to Hydrology and Meteorology include temperature rise, flood, landslide, glacier lake outburst, desertification, drying up of water sources, drought, etc., and the risk in the health sector has been increasing due to these reasons. The health of vulnerable communities (women, children, disabled, senior citizens) are at risk due to limited access to health services, lack of awareness about healthy lifestyle and behavior, household and professional workload, lack of financial resources and similar factors. The climate change affected agriculture, energy. water resources, forestry etc. which has resulted direct and indirect adverse impact to the vulnerable communities.
In developing country like Nepal with a wide coverage of mountainous region, there are many challenges relating to research activities regarding climate change and its impact on health. The inadequate trained human resources, poor economic condition, lack of data and appropriate research methodology etc. are some of the current challenges.
Vector borne diseases (Malaria, Kala-azar, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, Scrub Typhus, Zika and Chikanguinya), food and water borne diseases (Cholera and Diarrhea), respiratory and other climate sensitive diseases (Malnutrition and mental illness) are considered as climate sensitive health outcomes. The risk of climate change on health varies based on demographic characteristics, geographical location and occupational group, social, cultural and political aspects. The health sector of Nepal has been practicing measures to address the prevalence of various types of diseases through preventive and curative promotion programme.
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