Expert highlight that air pollution has become a major risk factor for stroke during RAJCON2024, Udaipur

Chandigarh October 21, 2024: Panjab University organised a Session on “Health Sector Preparedness for Air Pollution and Climate Change” as part of IAPSM RAJCON 2024 held on October 18-19, 2024 at RNT Medical College, Udaipur. This important event brought together experts from various institutions to discuss the critical intersection of environmental challenges and public health.

Prof. Ravindra Khaiwal, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, highlighted the severe impacts of rising air pollution in India. He mentioned that as per a recent study by Indian Council of Medical Research average life expectancy in India would have been 1.7 years higher if the air pollution level were less than the minimal level causing health loss, with the highest increases of 2.5 years in Rajasthan. Dr Khaiwal’s further added that air pollution has become the second most important risk factor for stroke, andhence, not only linked to respiratory but majorly towards cardiovascular diseases.

Prof. Suman Mor, Department of Environment, Panjab University, Chandigarh, stressed the importance of engaging the health sector in addressing the challenges posed by air pollution and climate change. She highlighted that medical professional, are the most trusted members of society when it comes to health effects, and they can play a major role in in awareness generation and giving right advice to the people to minimize exposure to air pollution and associated health risk.

Dr. Aniket Chaudhary, Assistant Director, National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi mentioned that Government of India has launched a National Program on Climate Change and Human Health to strengthen the health sector response. He added that currently the program is focusing on collecting Acute Respiratory Illness data to better estimation of the associated health risks of air pollution.

The session was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Awate, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajasthan, and Dr. Arpit Prajapati, GCS Medical College, Gujarat. They stressed that improved data collection by the health sector could generate new evidence and strengthen strategies to minimize impacts on communities, particularly relevant for Rajasthan, which has faced numerous issues in recent times.

The session underscored the need for a collaborative approach, engaging all stakeholders including medical doctors, nurses, and paramedics, as well as support from other sectors to adapt to and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

This session ended with a thank note by Dr. Anjali Mathur, Professor & Head, Dept. of Community Medicine, RNT Medical College, Udaipur and Organizing Secretary, IAPSM RAJCON 2024. She highlighted that the session helped to generate interest in medical fraternity to better understand the complex relationship between environmental factors and public health, and for developing mitigation strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of all.