Extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are displacing millions and exacerbating health disparities, particularly at the US-Mexico border. A study published in JAMA by Méndez, Pastor, and Lesaca highlights the plight of low-income, rural, and Indigenous populations who are often forced to migrate due to the adverse effects of climate change on their homes and livelihoods.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that, on average, 21.5 million people have been displaced annually by weather-related events between 1999 and 2019. This figure is more than double the number of individuals displaced by conflict and violence. Those who do not migrate face damaged ecological and social systems, with reduced access to water, food, and increased rates of diseases such as respiratory infections, diarrhea, measles, and malaria.
The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, climate change will result in approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year due to malnutrition, heat-related illness, and malaria. Underresourced countries are expected to suffer the most, with their healthcare and infrastructure being significantly impacted.
The study underscores the urgent need for addressing climate change to prevent further health disparities and to protect vulnerable populations, especially as they relate to migration and public health infrastructure. The findings call for a concerted effort from global and local institutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and to support those who are most at risk.
“Climate Change, Migration, and Health Disparities at and Beyond the US-Mexico Border” by Michael Méndez et al. JANA Network website (February 5, 2024)
