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Climate-Related Hazards and Public Health in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
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DOI：10.1177/11786302261432487.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
This systematic review with meta-analysis examines mortality, disease burdens, and systemic public health challenges following climate-related hazards and climate-sensitive disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) between 2007 and 2022. A comprehensive search across 6 databases and gray literature sources identified 673 articles, with 5 studies meeting criteria for quantitative meta-analysis and 3 additional reports incorporated for qualitative synthesis. Meta-analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity across studies (I-2 = 81%, P < .001), with a pooled estimate of 6.2 excess deaths per 1000 population (95% CI: 2.1-10.3) following major disasters-equivalent to an 84% increase in mortality risk compared to baseline. Individual studies documented over 4600 excess deaths following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, with 78% of casualties concentrated in low-income municipalities. Age disparities were evident: 65.9% of earthquake-related deaths in Haiti occurred among children under 12 years, while 48% of tsunami victims in Chile were aged >= 80 years. Waterborne disease outbreaks surged post-disaster, including a 300% increase in cholera cases following Hurricane Matthew in Haiti and Legionella contamination in 86% of cisterns in St. Thomas. Critical gaps in standardized mortality reporting and longitudinal data hinder comprehensive risk assessment. Strengthening climate-resilient health infrastructure, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and establishing regional data standardization protocols are imperative to mitigate adverse health outcomes in LAC. Plain Language Summary How Climate Disasters Harm Health in Latin America and the Caribbean: Deaths, Diseases, and Unequal Impacts Disasters like hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes are hitting Latin America and the Caribbean harder and more often, worsened by climate change. This study combined data from past research to understand how these events harm people's health. We found that disasters lead to increased deaths-approximately 6 additional deaths per 1,000 people-especially among children, older adults, and poor communities. They also cause dangerous outbreaks of diseases like cholera when water systems are damaged. The mental health toll is severe and long-lasting, with high rates of trauma and depression after disasters. The study shows that current systems for warning, healthcare, and clean water are too weak. To protect people, the region must build stronger, fairer health systems, invest in early warnings, fund mental health support, and include Indigenous knowledge in disaster planning.
Keywords:
climate-related hazards
natural disasters
flooding
hurricanes
public health
mortality
Latin America
Caribbean
Journal
E
IF:
2.9
Papers:
34
Citations:
1.2K
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Cited Papers