Climate Change and Vulnerable Populations: Exploring the Health Effects of Temperature and Precipitation Shifts in Low- and Middle-Income Regions

In regions that lack robust dietary support and social safety nets, children and women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face increased vulnerability to the fluctuations in temperature and rainfall patterns driven by recent climate changes. Our study utilizes climate models and Demographic and Health Survey data to quantify the impacts on these groups. The findings indicate that rising temperatures are significantly associated with an increased prevalence of anemia, as well as a rise in the overall mortality of children under five years of age. For precipitation, our findings reveal a complex relationship: while extreme rainfall events—and the subsequent flooding—considerably increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women and mortality in young children, a general increase in annual rainfall appears to facilitate healthier development in children. However, deficient and excessive seasonal rainfall variations have been observed to amplify the risk of child mortality significantly. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions and policy measures to mitigate the adverse health effects of climate variability in LMICs.

Cheng He, Institute of Epidemiology. Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Germany