Barriers to climate change and health research in India: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives: Almost a quarter of the global burden of disease and mortalities is attributable to environmental causes, the magnitude of which is projected to increase in the near future. However, in many low- and middle-income settings, there remains a large gap in the synthesis of evidence on climate-sensitive health outcomes. In India, now the world's most populous country, little remains known about the impacts of climate change on various health outcomes. The objective of this study is to better understand the challenges faced in conducting climate change and health research in Puducherry, India.

Design and setting: In this study, we employed key informant interviews to deepen the understanding of the perceived research barriers in Puducherry. The findings were analysed using data-driven qualitative thematic analysis to elaborate the major perceived barriers to conducting environmental health research.

Participants: This study was conducted among 16 public health professionals, including medical researchers, and professionals involved in environmental policies and planning in Puducherry.

Results: We identify three key barriers faced by public health professionals as key stakeholders, namely: (1) political and institutional barriers; (2) education and awareness barriers; and (3) technical research barriers. We show there is a need, from the professionals' perspective, to improve community and political awareness on climate change and health; strengthen technical research capacity and collaboration among researchers; and strengthen health surveillance, resource allocation and access to health data for research.

Conclusion: Evidence informed policies and interventions are a key element in the adaptation response for countries. In the context of the paucity of data on environmental health from India, despite recognised climate change related health vulnerabilities, these findings could contribute to the development and improvement of relevant interventions conducive to a strong research environment.

Keywords: epidemiology; public health; qualitative research.

Figure 1

A framework for health adaptation action in the context of climate change based on level of knowledge, perceived health risks, policy and institutional support and public engagement. The circled part highlights the thematic areas we focus on in this work, namely institutional determinants and its challenges.

Figure 2

An overview of the thematic framework and salient findings for the four themes explored in this paper. The four main themes are: (1) institutional framework: knowledge on policies; (2) political and institutional; (3) educational and informational; and (4) technical research barriers.