Can we adapt fairly? Scoping review of health equity implications of flood risk in coastal communities

This paper aims to review the evidence on the differential health impacts of coastal flooding and assess the health equity implications of coastal flood adaptation responses in the UK. Four studies examined the differentials in current and future coastal flood impacts, and seven assessed the equity of adaptation measures.

The findings state that coastal flood risk is unevenly distributed across the UK. Policies and practices like household insurance and property resilience measures may increase inequalities, while community engagement, planning and structural solutions can reduce disparities, depending on local context and implementation. Adaptation strategies relying on individual behaviour change, insurance or retrofitting could worsen inequalities within coastal communities. Providing more in-depth impact evaluations of coastal flood risk interventions and management on health equity outcomes is needed to support flood planning, particularly in areas that may be facing deprivation and social decline.