The impact of geographical aspects on public health in Uttar Pradesh: A review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JSRD.5.3.102-106Keywords:
Uttar Pradesh, Health geography, Geogenic contamination, Vector-borne disease, Flood, Climate change, Health disparitiesAbstract
Uttar Pradesh (UP), India's most populous state, displays marked physiographic diversity spanning the sub-Himalayan Bhabar–Terai belt, the Ganga–Yamuna alluvial plains, the eastern flood-prone lowlands, and the drought-affected Bundelkhand plateau. This diversity in terrain, hydrology, and climate is closely mirrored by spatial variation in the state's disease burden and health-service performance. This review synthesises peer-reviewed literature on the geography–health relationship in UP, examining vector-borne disease clustering in the Terai, geogenic arsenic and fluoride contamination across the Ganga plain, flood-related morbidity in the eastern districts, drought-linked undernutrition in Bundelkhand, and the compounding influence of climate change and uneven health-infrastructure distribution. Findings indicate that geography operates not as a background variable but as a proximate determinant of disease exposure, health-seeking behaviour, and service accessibility, producing persistent east–west and rural–urban disparities in indicators such as infant and maternal mortality. The review concludes that geographically targeted, geospatially informed public health planning rather than uniform state-wide programming is essential to narrow these disparities and strengthen resilience to emerging climate-linked health risks.
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