Indicator to Identify Critical Regions Prone To Health Disorders Owing To Water Scarcity

Abstract

Climate change makes the provision of water, sanitation and drainage services to the world’s poor more urgent. Adequate access to clean water and sanitation is crucial for good health. The effects of climate change on water, such as shifting freshwater resource availability, will influence migration presenting new social, political and epidemiological challenges. Along with an understanding of the future consequences of climate change, planning and managing water resources and infrastructure necessitates an understanding of regional climate systems. The application of appropriate technology could work to reduce the threat of climate change to water resources.The concepts related to water stress are already well established and recognized. There is a need, however to translate these indicators to help identify areas vulnerable to health disorders owing to water scarcity. Also, it is commonly believed that improved water supply occurs through better water quality, which reduces the ingestion of pathogens. Reviews, however, suggest that the improvements in health associated with better water quality are smaller than those obtained through increases in the quantity of water, which allow for better personal and domestic hygiene practices. Hence, Water availability and water use needs to be correlated considering the concepts of water quality cascade, incorporating recycled water use. The current study proposes an indicator to identify critical regions prone to health disorders based on above considerations. The current indicator can help the authorities identify critical regions prone to health disorders owing to water scarcity and plan appropriate mitigation approach. Keywords: Epidemiological challenges, Public health, indicators, disorders.