Analyzing Spatial Patterns of Health Vulnerability to Drought in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Abstract

Health determinants might play an important role in shaping the impacts related to long-term disasters such as droughts. Understanding their distribution in populated dry regions may help to map vulnerabilities and set coping strategies for current and future threats to human health. The aim of the study was to identify the most vulnerable municipalities of the Brazilian semiarid region when it comes to the relationship between drought, health, and their determinants using a multidimensional index. From a place-based framework, epidemiological, socio-economic, rural, and health infrastructure data were obtained for 1135 municipalities in the Brazilian semiarid region. An exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce 32 variables to four independent factors and compute a Health Vulnerability Index. The health vulnerability was modulated by social determinants, rural characteristics, and access to water in this semiarid region. There was a clear distinction between municipalities with the highest human welfare and economic development and those municipalities with the worst living conditions and health status. Spatial patterns showed a cluster of the most vulnerable municipalities in the western, eastern, and northeastern portions of the semiarid region. The spatial visualization of the associated vulnerabilities supports decision making on health promotion policies that should focus on reducing social inequality. In addition, policymakers are presented with a simple tool to identify populations or areas with the worst socioeconomic and health conditions, which can facilitate the targeting of actions and resources on a more equitable basis. Further, the results contribute to the understanding of social determinants that may be related to medium- and long-term health outcomes in the region.

Effects of Drought on Mortality in Macro Urban Areas of Brazil Between 2000 and 2019

“…Moreover, both children (in São Paulo) and the elderly population were the more at‐risk groups at a regional level. In this context, it has been described that the semiarid Northeast region of Brazil is characterized by low socioeconomic development and low levels of health services (Menezes et al., 2021; Sena et al., 2014), whereas the midwest part presents medium levels, with the south and southeast parts being the areas with the highest (Albuquerque et al., 2017). However, the fact that São Paulo is the most densely populated urban area may make this territory particularly vulnerable to the effects of drought (MAEUEC, 2021; UNDRR, 2021).…”

“…In Southeast Brazil, drought conditions have substantially contributed to significant socioeconomic and environmental damages and extreme heatwave events, as a result of pronounced precipitation deficits and blocking atmospheric patterns (Coelho et al., 2016; Geirinhas et al., 2021; Getirana, 2016). The population in Brazil (particularly the semiarid region of Brazil's Northeast) appears to be the most vulnerable to drought exposure and effects associated with climate variability in the present due to low rates of social and economic development (da Silva et al., 2021; Magrin et al., 2007; Menezes et al., 2021; PBMC, 2013; Sena et al., 2014, 2018).…”

Drought–heatwave nexus in Brazil and related impacts on health and fires: A comprehensive review

“…The understanding of the potential impacts of CDHW events on public health in Brazil is still far from satisfactory, despite the widespread efforts to quantify the impacts of droughts 34,107,108,112 and HWs 21,119,[123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133] from the perspective of a single climate extreme.…”

“…105,106 From a health impact perspective, drought is considered as one of the most far-reaching natural disasters that threaten the Brazilian population, mainly linked to food and water scarcity, vector-borne infectious diseases, and respiratory health effects. 107,108 From 2001 to 2016, there was an increase of 27% in hospital admissions for respiratory diseases affecting children and the elderly related to drought and fire in southern Amazonia. 34 Fire smoke is also associated with birth defects, including cleft lip/cleft palate and congenital anomalies of both respiratory and nervous systems.…”

“…Reduction in tree growth and forest productivity are connected with recurrent drought episodes in Amazonia, leading to the reduction in biomass carbon uptake 105,106 . From a health impact perspective, drought is considered as one of the most far‐reaching natural disasters that threaten the Brazilian population, mainly linked to food and water scarcity, vector‐borne infectious diseases, and respiratory health effects 107,108 . From 2001 to 2016, there was an increase of 27% in hospital admissions for respiratory diseases affecting children and the elderly related to drought and fire in southern Amazonia 34 .…”