Climate Change and Its Impacts on Human Health in Nepal

Shalik Ram Dhital, Madhu Ko

Abstract

Nepal is one of the climate change prone countries in the world. Geophysical and socioeconomic condition of country have predetermined vulnerability of the country to drought, earthquake, epidemic, fire, flood, forest fire, land slide and other climate related events affecting human and animal health, injuries, and quality of life. In light of such a situation we aimed to review knowledge related to potential health impacts of climate change on population of Nepal. Literature search using major public health, environmental and social databases as well as international reports was completed the get an overview of existing knowledge. There is a little published knowledge related to potential health impacts of climate change on population of Nepal. However, the knowledge of relationship between climate change and health and knowledge of environment allow discussing main routes of potential impact as well as health effects is a crucial issue to explore. More direct, population based research would be necessary to provide sound knowledge for emergency planning and mitigation measures.