In episode 15 of the podcast "Public Health Uncoded," Dr. Saroj Pachauri interviews Dr. Debadutta Parija. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Parija, Country Lead for TB, Infectious Diseases, and Surveillance at NISHTHA, Jhpiego, India, brings extensive expertise in health systems strengthening, TB control, and family planning. Dr. Debadutta Parija discusses the crucial intersection of water, climate, and primary health care. He highlighted the traditional siloed approach to these issues and emphasized the need for integrated solutions. Dr. Parija points out that water is a fundamental determinant of health, affecting everything from sanitation to disease transmission, and that climate change exacerbates existing water-related challenges, introducing new health risks and altering disease patterns.

In this episode of Public Health Uncoded, Dr. Saroj Pachauri interviews Ms. Quisha Umemba, a registered nurse turned public health entrepreneur. Ms. Umemba recounts her journey from bedside nursing to founding Umemba Health, a consulting and training agency. She shares her frustration with the bureaucratic limitations of government-funded public health roles, which inspired her to create a more flexible and innovative approach. Umemba Health focuses on developing sustainable public health initiatives, providing curricula, toolkits, and training programs. Ms. Umemba distinguishes public health entrepreneurship from typical tech startups, emphasizing problem-solving and creativity. She highlights the concept of "intrapreneurs" within organizations and underscores the significance of making an impact while earning an income. She advises aspiring consultants to gain traditional public health experience to build essential skills. Her insights are further explored in her book, “Public Health Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Intersection of Purpose and Profit.”

Our planet is warming, and it's having a dramatic impact on our health. In this episode, Dr. Pachauri is joined by Dr. Antonio Galan, a leading climate scientist, to discuss the far-reaching consequences of climate change for human health.

Dr. Galan, a renowned mathematician and climate scientist, shared his insights on how various factors caused by a warming planet are affecting our well-being. The conversation covered:

• Increased dangers from extreme weather: Rising temperatures lead to more frequent and severe weather events like heatwaves, floods, and droughts, causing injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
• Spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases: Warmer temperatures and floods create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects, raising the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
• Malnutrition threats: Droughts and extreme weather disrupt food production and distribution systems, leading to malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable communities.
• Respiratory issues on the rise: Air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels aggravates respiratory problems like asthma, posing a serious health risk.
• Mental health concerns: The uncertain future caused by climate change is leading to increased anxiety, especially among children.
• The role of fossil fuels: Burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, directly impacting human health.

The discussion also explored how unsustainable practices like deforestation and industrial agriculture are worsening the situation. Dr. Galan mentioned the UN's call for a shift in eating habits, particularly reducing meat consumption, to lessen the environmental burden of livestock farming.

This episode provided a thought-provoking look at the far-reaching consequences of climate change for human health.