Environment And Child Health Issues -India & Globally | Dr Uday Bodhankar | TEDxCivilLines

Описание: Dr. Uday Govindrao Bodhankar delivered a powerful and thought-provoking talk on “Environment and Child Health Issues – India & Globally.” He began by emphasizing that every child’s first breath should be a promise of life, yet across India and the world, that breath is often polluted. He highlighted how environmental conditions shape a child’s health long before they can speak.

Dr. Bodhankar spoke about the harsh realities faced by children in India—ranging from toxic air and unsafe drinking water to rising temperatures. He addressed increasing cases of asthma in urban areas, diarrheal diseases in rural schools, malnutrition aggravated by climate change, and the silent but serious impact of lead and pesticide exposure on children’s development.

On a global scale, he noted that over 1.7 million children under five die each year due to environmental risks, including air pollution, contaminated water, climate-driven diseases, and toxic chemicals.

He concluded with a strong message: protecting the environment is not optional—it is fundamental to child health. If we can imagine a world where every child breathes clean air, we can build it. Every breath matters. Dr. Uday G. Bodhankar is an internationally acclaimed pediatrician, academician, and global health leader with over four decades of distinguished service in maternal, newborn, and child health. He currently serves as the Executive Director, Commonwealth Association for Health & Disability (UK) and Deputy Chairperson, CommonHealth Professional Alliance (UK).

He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Sydney, Australia, International Council Member of the Asiatic Society for Pediatric Research (Japan), Honorary Professor of IMA-India, and Chairman & Professor, Indian College of Maternal & Child Health (Pediatrics). He previously held key academic roles at IGMC Nagpur and MUHS, including serving as National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and President, International Society of Tropical Pediatrics (ISTP). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx