A Bibliometric Analysis of Climate Change and Human Health Research in India (1999–2025)

Background: Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of human health, with impacts ranging from vector-borne diseases and malnutrition to mental health and respiratory illness. While global research on climate-health integrated research has grown rapidly, the extent and nature of India-specific scholarly contributions remain underexplored. This study provides the comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on climate change and human health in India, aiming to map research trends, collaborative patterns, influential contributors, thematic clusters, and existing gaps. Methods: A systematic search of Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted using keywords combining climate change, human health, and India-related terms. After duplication and cleaning, 1136 unique publications were analysed. Quantitative bibliometric indicators were assessed using Python packages (PyBibX, pandas, seaborn), and network visualizations were created using VOSviewer to map co-authorship, co-citations, and keyword clusters. Results: India’s research output on climate related health issues has grown significantly post 2010, with peaks in publication and citation activity aligning with major global climate events and national policy milestones. Highly cited contributions were made by a small group of authors and institutions such as the Indian Institute of Public Health and Panjab University. Thematic and keyword analysis identified dominant research clusters: environmental pollution, population vulnerabilities, and climate-adaptive health policies. Despite increased publication volume, gaps remain in areas such as mental health, nutrition, occupational exposure, and research in risk prone regions like Northeast India and underserved tribal areas. Conclusion: While India’s scientific engagement in climate change and human health research is expanding, it remains uneven across themes and geographies. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing regional disparities, and translating evidence into policy are essential for building strong public health systems. This study highlights priority areas and can inform future research and policymaking at the intersection of climate change and health in India.