The United Nations released a policy brief in July 2025 denoting the serious health effects caused by land degradation and drought. The document connects environmental damage to a rise in diseases and mental health issues. It urges integrated approaches and innovative funding to address these growing challenges.
Link Between Land Degradation, Drought and Health
Land degradation, desertification and drought directly affect human health. They increase risks of diseases like cholera, malaria, cardiovascular ailments, respiratory problems and malnutrition. Water scarcity during droughts leads to skin and eye infections such as trachoma and conjunctivitis. Poor soil health can cause soil-transmitted diseases and increase cancer risks. Changes in land use also raise chances of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Covid-19.
Mental Health and Displacement
Drought and resource scarcity cause anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. Displacement due to crop failure and loss of livelihood intensifies stress. The brief cites Australia’s rural areas where prolonged droughts have led to financial hardship and poor nutrition, worsening mental wellbeing. By 2050, related mental health costs may reach $198 billion globally.
Impact on Children and Vulnerable Groups
Children under five suffer from malnutrition and stunting linked to drought-affected agricultural output. Pregnant women face dietary deficiencies during food price surges. For example, in Zambia, maize shortages during drought caused infant stunting. Women and children are more vulnerable to health impacts due to limited access to resources and healthcare.
Geographical and Socioeconomic Patterns
Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and India show high health burdens from drought and desertification. The spatial overlap between aridity and malnutrition marks the scale of the problem in low- and middle-income nations. Heatwaves during droughts increase morbidity and mortality and can overwhelm healthcare systems.
Policy Recommendations and Solutions
The UN brief calls for integrated policies combining environmental and health goals. Strengthening community resilience and promoting gender equity are vital. Investments in research, capacity building and early warning systems are needed. Innovative financing should support land restoration, sustainable water use and health sectors. Coordination between global bodies like the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the World Health Organization is essential. The One Health Approach emphasises the link between ecosystem, animal and human health.
India’s Response and Tools
India has introduced a Farmers’ Distress Index (FDI) to provide early alerts on drought and related stress. The FDI considers exposure to climate events, financial issues and mental health indicators. It aims to guide timely interventions to reduce farmer distress and improve health outcomes.
Future Challenges
Rising aridity and land degradation threaten to worsen health globally. Without coordinated action, disease outbreaks and mental health crises will increase. Sustainable land management and climate adaptation are crucial to safeguard public health.
Questions for UPSC:
- Point out the impacts of land degradation on human health and explain the role of sustainable land management in mitigating these effects.
- Underline the relationship between climate change, drought, and mental health disorders with suitable examples from different regions.
- Critically analyse the effectiveness of early warning systems and indices like India’s Farmers’ Distress Index in addressing agricultural distress and public health.
- Estimate the significance of the One Health Approach in managing zoonotic diseases amid environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
