A comprehensive global study on flooding has revealed the significant (and long-term) health impacts. It shows a 26 percent higher risk of hospitalization for various diseases up to seven months after a flood. This research, which analyzed over 300 million records across eight countries, underscored the widespread consequences of these increasingly common events linked to climate change and water.
The study identified notable increases in hospitalizations for cardiovascular, respiratory, infectious, and digestive illnesses following major floods. Risks also rose for mental health, diabetes, cancer, nervous system, and kidney disorders, demonstrating that flooding has long-term health impacts that extend far beyond immediate dangers.
The rising frequency and intensity of flooding due to climate change and water cycle shifts are likely to have real impact on affected communities. Flooded areas become breeding grounds for disease vectors and contamination leading to waterborne diseases is a key pathway for these health impacts. To learn more about laws and policies for climate-resilient water and sanitation, check out issue #249.
The study emphasizes that disrupted healthcare access and prolonged psychological stress further exacerbate long-term health impacts. Recognizing these broader consequences is vital for integrating public health into climate change and water management strategies.
