"How climate change is reshaping India’s snakebite crisis” an article by Rupsa Chakraborty

Nearly half the world’s snakebite deaths happen in India. Now, climate change is pushing a neglected crisis into a dangerous new phase.

We are delighted to share a recent article by current student Rupsa Chakraborty, who is pursuing an MSc in Global Health Policy. Rupsa is a Commonwealth Shared Scholar, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and LSE.

Her piece, “How climate change is reshaping India’s snakebite crisis”, was recently published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ): Read the article on the BMJ website

The article explores how rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expanding the risk of snakebites across India, highlighting an important but often overlooked intersection between climate change and public health.

Rupsa has shared the following reflections on her experience studying at LSE:

Studying at LSE has been a dream come true, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be here. The department’s interdisciplinary modules have given me a strong grounding in both qualitative and quantitative methods, along with valuable hands-on experience. I’ve been able to deepen my understanding of the areas I care about most, how health policy is made, the economic forces and institutions that shape health systems, and the growing links between climate and health.
What I’ve valued most is the emphasis on research methodology and how it connects to real-world health policy, learning not just how to produce strong evidence, but how that evidence influences health systems and the decisions that affect people’s lives. These are essential skills for anyone hoping to move into research.
It’s also a unique opportunity to learn from professors who are not only leaders in their fields but genuinely invested in their students. For me, that’s what sets LSE apart. If you want to make the most of these twelve months, there’s no better place to do it.

We are incredibly proud of Rupsa’s achievement and the dedication behind this important piece of research. We look forward to seeing all that she goes on to accomplish in the future.

Congratulations to Rupsa on this publication.

Find out more about studying with the Department of Health Policy at LSE.