Extreme events as sources of health vulnerability: drought as an example
Weather and Climate Extremes, October 2015, doi:10.1016/j.wace.2015.10.001
The paper reviews a framework for evaluating the risks of extreme weather and climate events; review trends in these events; and then focuses on drought as an example of an extreme event that could affect the vulnerability of individuals, communities, and health systems to future events.
Drought can affect health in a variety of ways, including through threats to food and water security. However, it is not yet known how these impacts may be magnified if droughts are considered themselves as a source of vulnerability. To address this gap, greater emphasis is needed on understanding and supporting the ways by which countries and communities can effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impacts of recurring extreme events.
Such strategies include assessing vulnerabilities and developing adaptation strategies, capacity development of health professionals, and appropriate disaster risk reduction/ management programs and support. Without this targeted focus, communities will continue to experience the substantial losses and risks to health arising from extreme weather and climate events, and our responses will continue to be reactive, rather than necessarily proactive.