Leprosy and Climate Change in India

The resurgence of leprosy in India is intricately linked with climate change, poverty, and the resulting socio-economic challenges. Leprosy, once eliminated as a public health issue, is now re-emerging due to various factors, primarily climate-induced challenges such as floods and overcrowding.

Resurgence of Leprosy

• Leprosy was considered eliminated as a public health problem in India in 2005 according to WHO criteria.
• Recent reports indicate a resurgence, especially in climate-stressed states like West Bengal and Bihar.
• India reported 103,819 new leprosy cases in 2022-23, with grade 2 disability cases accounting for 2.28% of the total.

Impact of Climate Change

• Climate-induced disasters disproportionately affect leprosy-affected communities.
• Floods and other extreme weather events lead to loss of homes, crops, and even shelters.
• People with leprosy-related disabilities often face discrimination during evacuation and relief efforts.
• Examples include the 2017 flooding in Bangladesh, affecting over 4,000 people with leprosy.

Multidimensional Poverty and Leprosy Prevalence

• States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have high levels of multidimensional poverty.
• These states are also highly climate-vulnerable, contributing to the endemic levels of leprosy.
• Specific districts like Kishanganj in Bihar, Raigarh in Chhattisgarh, and Nuapada in Odisha show leprosy prevalence rates above 3%.

Challenges and Interventions

• Community Resilience: Building community resilience through awareness programs on climate-adaptive health behavior is crucial.
• Health System Strengthening: Strengthening health systems in leprosy-endemic districts can mitigate climate shocks.
• Local Assessments: Implementing hyper-local climate and health risk assessments can guide interventions.
• Resource Allocation: Districts facing 'triple jeopardy' of disease, climate change, and poverty should receive prioritized resources and support.

Social Stigma and Accessibility

• Social stigma prevents individuals with leprosy from seeking medical care during disasters.
• Fears of being turned away or harassed at relief centers or hospitals discourage them from accessing necessary support.

Call to Action

• Urgent interventions, visibility, and funding are needed to address the intersectionality of leprosy, climate change, and poverty.
• Current initiatives related to climate change and leprosy are limited due to a lack of funding and thematic donor support.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, focusing on building resilient communities, strengthening health systems, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable districts.