Global Warming and Related Environmental Changes Affecting Public Health: A Cross-Sectional Study from Madhepura District Of Bihar

Abstract

Background: Public health is seriously threatened by climate change, which is fuelled by rising global temperatures and a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events. The shifting distribution of infectious diseases, decreased food security, and escalation of long-term medical issues are all clear indications of these effects.

Aim: This investigation seeks to evaluate the health effects of climate change on individuals, concentrating on the incidence of chronic health disorders, infectious diseases and food insecurity.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 150 randomly selected participants was carried out for duration of one year from December-2023 to December-2024 at Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College & Hospital, Madhepura, Bihar.  Questionnaires and structured interviews were used to gather data on exposures related to climate change, health status, and demographics. Using SPSS version 23.0, statistical analyses including chi-square tests and logistic regression were conducted to find significant connections and predictors of unfavourable health outcomes.

Results: The study discovered that 30% of participants had infectious disorders and 60% had been exposed to extreme heat episodes. Infectious illnesses and high heat exposure were shown to be significantly correlated (?²(1) = 4.65, p = 0.030). Food insecurity also affected 40% of participants, and it was substantially linked to long-term medical disorders (?²(1) = 5.139, p = 0.019). Food insecurity, high heat exposure, and age were found to be significant predictors of unfavourable health outcomes using logistic regression.

Conclusion: The results highlight the complex effects of climate change on human health, especially with regard to an increase in chronic illnesses and infectious diseases. Integrated public health policies and strategies that emphasise climate adaptation and mitigation are needed to address these issues.

Recommendations: Improving food security, building tailored interventions to lessen the adverse health impacts of extreme weather events, and strengthening community resilience to climate-related health hazards should be the top priorities of future public health activities.

Keywords: Global Warming, Public Health, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases