Soumya Swaminathan, ex-Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the huge health risks that zoonotic diseases and climate change pose to human well-being. At the inauguration of a research study in Kochi, she urged the implementation of integrated research and regulatory changes to counter these effectively.Key Highlights:
Zoonotic Disease Threats:

• New viral infections are predominantly derived from zoonotic illnesses spread from animals to humans.

• Synthesis of climate, health, and environmental research is necessary for outbreak prediction and prevention.

Environmental Health Advocacy:

• Swaminathan suggested creating an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency in India to counter environmental health problems.

• Environmental factors are increasingly influencing health threats worldwide.

Nutritional Health Issues:

• Dietary risks were identified as the leading health threat in India, with half the population unable to afford nutritionally adequate diets.

• Kerala and Tamil Nadu are facing increasing obesity and non-communicable diseases in addition to chronic malnutrition and anaemia.

• Marine resources were proposed as a possible solution to address diet and combat deficiencies.

Climate Change Impact:
India is one of the most vulnerable nations impacted by climate change, with serious health and environmental implications.

Misinformation Challenges:
Swaminathan observed the dissemination of disinformation amid the age of digital technology, exemplified in the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered efforts for public health.

Public Health Innovations:

• The Kerala government was widely praised for successfully tackling the Nipah virus.

• Some of the main initiatives introduced under a research project on Vembanad Lake were:

• Water Clinics: Dedicated to tracking water-related illnesses among coastal populations.

• CLEANSE App: Created to supply information about water quality.

• AQUADIP App: Enables the evaluation of risks of waterborne diseases.

Quotes from Leaders:
Soumya Swaminathan, Ex-WHO Chief Scientist:

• "Most of the health hazards today are caused by environmental factors, highlighting the imperative need for an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency in India."

• She further noted, "We have to harness the marine resources to meet basic nutritional needs of the nation."

The release of cutting-edge tools and joint research on environmental and health issues is a step in the right direction in responding to the escalating threats of zoonotic diseases and climate change. The efforts highlight the need for the integration of science, technology, and policy in order to implement effective public health interventions.