Mumbai, February 19 Senior clinical scientist Soumya Swaminathan has emphasized the need for more detailed and specific data on the impact of heat on people, considering factors such as gender, occupation, age, and living conditions.
The current figures only represent "the tip of the iceberg," and there is a need for much better data on heat-related illnesses and deaths, Swaminathan, the former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization, said at the Mumbai Climate Week on Wednesday.
She stated that heat-related illnesses are closely linked to cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and metabolic disorders. These risks are further exacerbated by dehydration and lack of access to safe drinking water.
Age, along with other underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and even working conditions, is another important factor, she said, while also highlighting the impact of heat on women, as many of them work for longer hours indoors.
"We need much more detailed and specific data on people in different occupations, different ages, genders, and living conditions," said the former director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Even when there are heatwave-related alerts, it would be more helpful if its impact on people from different backgrounds, be it age or profession, is also specified, she said.
Swaminathan also cited an example of Australia, where heatwave alerts are accompanied by information on their impact on people.
"We need much better data on heat-related illnesses and death, which are still just the tip of the iceberg. Only a small number is known," Swaminathan said. Even in cases of death, doctors still do not attribute the mortality to heat, she pointed out.
Swaminathan further stated that the data should not be viewed in isolation.
She suggested that health data can be combined with climate data and other types of data for a better understanding. Satellite imagery and the Global Information System (GIS) can also be used while studying heat-related illnesses and deaths.
"We can make much better associations (with the data). This detailed data is also needed for effective policy interventions. Even the policy on heat-related illnesses has to evolve. It cannot be static," she opined.
Capacity building is necessary at the local level regarding the health infrastructure, she added.
