A recent study from Princeton University highlights the significant health risks posed by extreme heat, noise pollution, and low physical activity in India’s urban areas. While air pollution remains the top cause of premature deaths in the country, this research aims to shed light on other critical health factors that must be considered as cities continue to grow, according to Anu Ramaswami, a professor leading the study.
Published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, the research examines how various mortality risk factors differ among cities and rural regions. The team analyzed data from Indian household surveys alongside information on pollution and temperature. They connected these factors to premature mortality rates in 42 cities, establishing a baseline that cities can use to track health changes and develop solutions over time.
In Delhi, the second-largest city and India’s capital, the study identified extreme temperatures, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and noise pollution as major health concerns, following outdoor air pollution. This finding is noteworthy, as national surveys tend to overlook these risks due to their focus on larger rural areas.
Ramaswami pointed out that while issues like inadequate sanitation and poor cooking fuels are acknowledged in national health assessments, urban growth has introduced new challenges. Although cities have made progress in providing better resources, these emerging threats are now coming to light.
The study also features a “heat map,” ranking ten risk factors by the annual premature death rate per 100,000 individuals across 42 cities. In major urban centers such as Mumbai and Bengaluru, issues like unsafe sanitation pose greater health risks compared to Delhi, while other cities face significant dangers from indoor air pollution or unsafe water sources.
The research aims to motivate cities to monitor health outcomes over time. Ramaswami’s group, the Urban Nexus Lab, creates data-driven tools to support urban sustainability, health, and equity. For instance, if a city implements a plan to reduce air pollution, it can measure the positive impacts on public health, showcasing how environmental improvements can enhance overall wellbeing.
Experts, including Armistead Russell from Georgia Tech, believe this analysis provides a comprehensive view for policymakers on how to improve living conditions. He noted that urbanization changes health risks and that Indian governments must address these emerging challenges holistically.
The study underlines the chronic nature of health risks from factors like heat and noise. Exposure to high nighttime temperatures can hinder rest and lead to cardiovascular issues, while noise pollution can elevate stress levels that affect heart health.
The study was built on extensive data collection that tracked various causes of death related to conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It utilized data from 2022 to ensure consistency in analyzing the various health risk factors.
Ajay Nagpure, a co-author and former researcher in the Urban Nexus Lab, played a key role in gathering and analyzing data. Together with Ramaswami, he evaluated whether urban areas face specific risk factors that get ignored when looking at broader regions.
The researchers also compared risk levels in cities with their surrounding rural areas, noting that cities were more likely to use cleaner cooking methods and have better sanitation systems. However, urban areas also faced greater crowding and lower rates of recommended physical activity.
Inside Delhi, the study revealed that higher-income residents struggled with low physical activity, while poorer individuals faced risks related to indoor air pollution and inadequate sanitation.
Addressing these issues as urban areas expand requires better infrastructure and governance. However, Ramaswami emphasized that the scale of population growth and rising incomes complicates the impact of urban planning.
Looking forward, the Urban Nexus Lab is working with the United Nations to examine policy options for urban growth, including case studies in five cities in the Global South, such as Chennai.
Businesses also have a significant role in developing solutions. For example, the rise of electric two-wheelers and motorcycle-sharing services can alleviate issues of overcrowding and pollution while benefiting the environment. Ramaswami believes there is a strong market for innovative solutions that can contribute positively to urban living.
The findings of this research, titled “The urban burden of disease in India: modeling infrastructure, environmental and dietary risk factors associated with provisioning systems across forty cities (2022),” were published on March 11, with support from Princeton’s M.S. Chadha Center for Global India and the U.S. National Science Foundation Sustainability Research Network.
