Climate Change & Health: Addressing Environmental Health Risks in Latin America
By Mariana Romero Roy
As the world has steadily warmed in recent years, the impacts on the environment, weather and other aspects of daily life have been global in scale. Both 2023 and 2024 respectively have been the hottest years in recorded history, and the Earth is about 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer now than it was from 1850-1890.
The rise in temperature has coincided with an increase in severe weather events, including heatwaves, wildfires, floods, hurricanes and more. This has also been accompanied by glacial ice melt and rising sea levels.
The Impact on Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global climate change also has a major impact on public health, the consequences of which are already being seen in some areas, including Latin America. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, it puts people at risk by compromising clean air, food security, jobs and more. Hotter weather also makes it more likely for certain diseases to proliferate and spread.
These factors are also a greater risk for people in some areas than others. Climate-sensitive health risks disproportionately affect the vulnerable and disadvantaged, people who live in crowded areas or those who do not have as much access to health care or social support. The WHO estimates that 3.6 billion people already live in areas that are at risk of climate change-related impacts.
How Latin America Has Been Impacted
In a 2023 report published by the health journal, The Lancet, it’s clear that many of these health risks fall squarely upon the people of Latin America, and some of the health-related impacts of climate change are already being seen in the region. You can see a rundown of these impacts in the table below:
Climate-Related Health Risks to Latin Americans
- Change in temperature in Paraguay from 1986-2005 to 2013-2022: +1.9 degrees Celsius
- Change in temperature in Argentina from 1986-2005 to 2013-2022: +1.2 degrees Celsius
- Increase in exposure to heatwave days among infants from 1986-2005 to 2013-2022: +248%
- Increase in exposure to heatwave days among seniors from 1986-2005 to 2013-2022: +271%
- Increase in heat-related deaths from 2000-2009 to 2013-2022: +140%
Heat is far from the only risk related to these environment changes for the region. Agriculture, industry, deforestation and air and water pollution are all significant factors that are putting Latin American people at risk, as well. In fact, the increase in the rate of premature deaths in the region can be directly tied to the air pollution from the use of fossil fuels in the home, industry, transportation and agriculture.
Heat, pollution and extreme weather events also make the spread of disease more likely. One specific case of this is dengue, a mosquito-based disease that has risen by 54% between 1951-60 and 2013-2022. Malaria is another disease that has been shown to increase as the weather gets warmer. People with chronic health conditions like respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are also at a greater risk as temperatures increase.
What Needs to Be Done
As you assess the state of climate change and health in Latin America, one thing that becomes clear is that it’s already having an impact on public health in the region, and that impact is expected to increase in the years ahead. Between 2030 and 2050, the WHO estimates that climate change will lead to an additional 250,000 deaths annually worldwide from heat stress, diarrhea, malaria and undernutrition alone.
Latin American people also indicate that their lives are being directly affected by climate change. The table below shows the results of a recent survey by European Investment Bank:
The Impact of Climate Change on Latin Americans:
- Survey respondents in favor of climate change-related government measures: 88%
- Survey respondents who believe climate change impacts everyday life: 91%
- Survey respondents who favor investments in renewable energy sources: 80%
- Survey respondents who believe climate change impacts their livelihood or income: 70%
- Survey respondents who think they may have to relocate due to climate change: 54%
The needs to reduce these risks in the region are great, and the Lancet says they will likely require policy changes at the highest level, as well as partnerships and collaborations between the region’s governments. Policies that prioritize reducing social inequities, improving population health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience are all critical. In addition, countries should also look to transition to cleaner sources of energy to reduce air pollution and improve general health. All of this, of course, will require funding through permanent fiscal commitments.
Changes in Latin American Policy
Though much needs to be done in the region, change is already beginning to occur. In 2021, most Latin American and Caribbean countries committed to the United Nations to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and bringing emissions to net zero by 2050. The UN Environment Programme also has several projects that are actively underway to address climate change and the related health risks specifically in Latin America, as do several other organizations. In addition, both Brazil and Colombia have enacted national climate laws to directly address this issue.
However, most healthcare and climate agencies acknowledge that much work is needed for Latin America to reach its goals. More funding, as well as policies that more directly address the income inequities in the region, will be required to manage the looming healthcare crisis related to climate change.
Key Takeaways for Health Care Companies
Health care companies can support the Latin American effort to combat climate change and the health care issues related to climate change by looking at their own operations in the region and following best practices related to greenhouse gas emissions, as well as their impact on soil, water and other important environmental factors.
In addition, as Latin America continues to combat the risks related to heat and pollution exposure and the rise of communicable diseases related to climate change, medications, treatments and diagnostic equipment required to manage these risks will continue to be in high demand. Health care companies can help the region by providing the needed medications and equipment to keep people as healthy as possible in the face of these rising challenges.
Next Steps
Contact GHI to learn more about climate change trends and their potential impact on the healthcare industry in Latin America. Our team of researchers can provide the analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.
