Equity-First Community Resilience: Integrated Public Health Strategies for Chronic Disease Prevention, Mental Wellbeing, and Climate Adaptation

This mixed-methods study examines non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and climate stressors in Banaskantha, Gujarat, using an Equity-First Community Resilience framework. Conducted from August 2019 to April 2025 at Banas Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI), it involved 100 Family Adoption Program participants (60% male, 40% female, aged 18-70, 70% lower-caste) across Moriya, Chitrasani, Jagana, Ratanpur, and Vav/Tharad. Clinical data, collected via Omron BP monitors (hypertension: BP >=140/90 mmHg), PHQ-9 surveys (depression: score >10), spirometry (COPD: FEV1 <50%), and urine dipsticks (kidney stones: proteinuria >3g/day), showed 51.3% hypertension and 35% alcoholism prevalence. Semi-structured interviews captured eco-anxiety, with 71% heatwave exposure and 53 poor AQI days noted. Python regressions (p<0.01, R^2=0.65) linked climate stressors to NCDs (e.g., 18% BP rise in Moriya at 45 degrees C). NVivo analysis identified caste-gender disparities (25% arthritis in Jagana women). Secondary data from NFHS-5 and SAPCCHH (2024) validated findings. Cooperatives reduced BP by 12%, mirroring global models (American India Foundation, 2025). Approved by BMCRI’s IRB (2020), per ICMR 2017, the study proposes scalable interventions for NCDs, mental health, and climate resilience, aligning with UN 2025 NCD Summit goals.