Indirect consequences of extreme weather and climate events and their associations with physical health in coastal Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundBangladesh is one of the countries in the world which is most prone to natural disasters. The overall situation is expected to worsen, since extreme weather and climate events (EWCE) are likely to increase in both frequency and intensity. Indirect consequences caused in the events’ aftermath widen the range of possible adverse health outcomes.ObjectiveTo assess the association of indirect consequences of EWCE and physical health.DesignWe used recent cross-sectional self-reported data from 16 coastal villages in Bangladesh. A total of 980 households were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The outcome of physical health was categorized into three groups, reflecting the severity of reported diseases by the respective source of treatment as a proxy variable (hospital/clinic for severe disease, other source/no treatment for moderate disease, and no disease). The final statistical analysis was conducted using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsSevere diseases were significantly associated with drinking water from open sources [odds ratio (OR): 4.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.25–8.09] and tube wells (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.43–4.01), moderate harm by river erosion (OR: 6.24, 95% CI: 2.76–14.11), food scarcity (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.16–3.40), and the perception of increased employment problems (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.18–4.07). Moderate diseases were significantly associated with moderate harm by river erosion (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.28–5.48) and fully experienced food scarcity (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.16–2.63). For both categories, women and the elderly had higher chances for diseases.ConclusionsIndirect consequences of EWCE were found to be associated with adverse health outcomes. Basic needs such as drinking water, food production, and employment opportunities are particularly likely to become threatened by EWCE and, thus, may lead to a higher likelihood of ill-health. Intervention strategies should concentrate on protection and provision of basic needs such as safe drinking water and food in the aftermath of an event.

The 2022 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels

“…66 Resulting direct injuries and death are often compounded with impacts on sanitation and service provision, forced displacement, loss of assets and infrastructure, economic losses, and adverse mental health outcomes, often having long-lasting effects. [67][68][69][70] Wildfires affect health with thermal injuries, exposure to wildfire smoke, loss of physical infrastructure, and impacts on mental health and wellbeing. [71][72][73] Drier and hotter conditions increasingly favour the occurrence, intensity, and spread of wildfires, and undermine control efforts.…”

Climate change impacts on the health of South Asian children and women subpopulations - A scoping review

“…In contrast, 13 focused on extreme events (floods, drought, heatwaves, and cyclones), nine focused on air pollution, and the remaining study (one) focused on salinity in coastal areas. A significant proportion of studies [ 34 ] focused on health impacts on children related to extreme weather events, meteorological factors, and air pollution. In comparison, only eight studies looked at health impacts on women.…”

“…The adverse health impacts of extreme weather events (floods, drought, and cyclones) were examined in 13 different studies [ 15 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Six studies explored the impact of extreme weather events on child undernutrition [ 15 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 40 , 42 ], and one of which also included women of reproductive age, i.e., 15–49 years [ 35 ].…”

“…Two studies investigated extreme weather events' impact on diarrheal diseases [ 39 , 44 ] and one each on respiratory infections [ 39 ] and mortality [ 42 ]. Nine of 13 studies reported a positive association between extreme weather events and different health outcomes [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 43 ].…”

“… Authors Location, setting, and period Population (n, sex, age categories) Study type Health impact category Socioeconomic factors and effect modifiers Key findings Extreme events Arlappa 2011 [ 33 ] India; rural; 2003 3657 participants; Children (less than five years) Cross-sectional study Nutrition deficiency Female literacy, community backwardness The prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency was significantly higher among pre-school children of chronic drought-affected areas than non-drought areas. Beier 2015 [ 34 ] Bangladesh; rural; 2013 977 households; Male: 47.6% and female: 52.4%; Age category: 14–25 (12.7%), 26–35 (32.2%), 36–45 (22.0%), 46–55 (16.6%), and 56+ (16.5%) Cross-sectional study General physical health Age, education level, employment Women were at higher risk of severe diseases associated with extreme weather and climate events compared to men. Goudet 2011 [ 35 ] Bangladesh; rural; 1998-99 143 participants; Infants and young children less than three years Cross-sectional study Undernutrition Household expenditure, mother's education Flooding showed a significant increase in stunting and underweight percentage among children less than three years of age.…”