Abstract
It is necessary to consider the phenomenon of urbanism in the global context. The exponential growth of urban population accounts for an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. Land use changes and greenhouse gas emissions lead to changes that are inextricably linked with the local environment and regional climate. Urban climate change risks have also escalated due to increased extreme weather events induced by climate change and rise in the number of residents living in climate-sensitive areas. This study aimed to understand community perception about climate change and extreme heat influences on health. It was conducted in the Kolkata Metropolitan Region through a comprehensive interview of 56 participants by using purposive sampling methods. The information was obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed using the narrative analysis method based on the transcribed notes. The collected information was made into a summary and then categorized with the chronology. Information was presented in the subsections of urban expansion influence on the regional climate, contributory factors of climate change, and climate change or extreme heat influences on health. Summaries of results are restoried into the narrative chronology. Study findings show that older adults and marginalized and low-income communities are more vulnerable to climate change-related health problems. Respondents also reported that climate change takes catastrophic forms resulting in increased hospital admissions due to heat-related illness in the summer season. Major health problems consist of illness, eye irritation, heat stroke, red, and warm skin, dizziness, headache, and muscle pain. The central and state governments have developed a framework of health action plan keeping in mind the climate change-related health issues. Public health professionals and policymakers must be aware of the magnitude of specific health concerns of citizens and the need for urgent action.
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The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the study area respondents. And the authors are thankful to municipal workers, health professionals, government officials, and NGO professionals for their help in data collection and field surveys.
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Mahata, D., Shekhar, S. Community Perception of Climate Change and Extreme Heat Influences on Health: Study of Kolkata Metropolitan Region. Glob Soc Welf (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-023-00271-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-023-00271-0