Building resilience to protect elderly from climate stressors, Pg II

Key Highlights:

• A study by HelpAge India highlights that senior citizens are a particularly vulnerable group disproportionately affected by climate change.
• India's elderly population is projected to increase significantly from 149 million in 2022 to approximately 347 million by 2050.
• Older adults are impacted by both sudden climate shocks, such as floods, and slow-onset stresses like rising temperatures.
• Factors like poverty, living alone, poor health, and residence in hazard-prone areas significantly reduce the resilience of the elderly.
• The report advocates for a shift from 'hazard-centred' to 'people-centred' systems for climate adaptation and social protection.

Elderly.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• Climate change exacerbates chronic illnesses, increases mortality risk, and reduces mobility for senior citizens.
• Older adults frequently experience mental distress, sleep disruption, and challenges in accessing healthcare during climatic events.
• The study employs an Intersectional Place Perspective to analyze how age, gender, disability, and local environmental conditions interact to shape risk.
• Policy recommendations include establishing climate-resilient healthcare and expanding social protection for the elderly.
• The M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation is conducting a two-state study to evaluate the health impacts of increased temperatures on residents.
• Implementing age-inclusive early warning systems and strengthening community-based care networks are crucial for protecting the elderly.
• Government schemes require redesigning to address the specific vulnerabilities and access barriers faced by older persons.
• The report emphasizes leveraging the One Health approach and generating improved data for effective climate adaptation strategies.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Vulnerable Groups: Populations that are disproportionately affected by environmental, social, or economic crises due to pre-existing disadvantages.
• Intersectional Place Perspective: An analytical framework that examines how multiple social and environmental factors interact to create unique vulnerabilities for individuals or groups.
• One Health: A collaborative, multi-sectoral, and trans-disciplinary approach to achieve optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnectedness of people, animals, and their shared environment.