Submission ID 116977
| Issue/Objective | Climate change has detrimental effects on human health through extreme weather events and other climate hazards. Displaced populations are more susceptible to the effects of climate hazards due to their limited adaptive capabilities. Evidence on climate change and health of displaced populations is limited. Thus, this scoping review aims to describe the literature related to climate change and health of displaced populations due to violence and armed conflict. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | Searches were conducted on Medline, Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, and grey literature from January 1st 2000 to January 15th 2025 with no language restrictions using relevant MESH terms and keywords. All types of primary studies were included if they examined health outcomes associated with climate change among displaced populations due to conflict. Studies exploring interventions to mitigate climate impact on refugee health were also included. Two researchers independently screened studies for inclusion. Data extraction was conducted by a primary reviewer and validated by a secondary reviewer. Data on study types, interventions, climate hazards/exposure and health outcomes were extracted from each study. |
| Results | Primary results identified 4,539 studies of which 57 included in the review. Among these 19 were interventions, 3 cohort, 16 cross-sectional, 12 qualitative and 7 were mixed methods studies. Most studies were conducted in countries hosting large refugees or internally displaced people (IDPs), including Bangladesh (n=8), Jordan (n=7), Kenya (n=6), and Lebanon (n=6). All studies measured the direct effects of climate change on health including multiple climate hazards (n=44), heat exposure (n=2), cold weather (n=2), cyclones (n=1), floods (n=4), heavy rains (n=3), and droughts (n=1). In addition, indirect effects of climate change on health included food insecurity and reduced water access. Notably, health outcomes explored included mortality (n=8), infectious disease (n=16), and mental health disorders (n=8). Interventional studies included community (n=14) and individual-based (n=5) interventions. Interventions included climate-resilient shelters (n=5), digital interventions (n=3), nutrition and WASH services (n=6), psychological support (n=1) and health education (n=4). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Climate hazards affect refugees' health through various exposures and elevated disease risk. Sustainable adaptation strategies are essential to reduce climate impact on refugees' health. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Stephen McCall American University of Beirut Hazar Shamas Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Nour Osman Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Myriam Dagher Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Salma Ghanem Nature Conservation Center, American University of Beirut Antoine Kallab Nature Conservation Center, American University of Beirut Yaser Abunnasr Nature Conservation Center, American University of Beirut Christopher Millett School of Public Health, Imperial College London Ghada Saad Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut |
