The Climate Migrant: Health Risks Before, During, and After Migration

Abstract

The climate crisis and migrant health are closely intertwined. Climate change is rapidly altering the planet, and migrants are experiencing new and overlapping health consequences as a result. In this article, three subsets of migrants affected by the climate crisis are identified, and the health needs of each are delineated. Climate-precipitated migrants were forced to move as a result of a climate impact like a hurricane or drought. Climate-impacted migrants may have migrated initially for reasons unrelated to the climate crisis, but the social and occupational factors they encounter increase their risk of climate-related health effects during and after migration. Climate workers, the third type of migrant identified, move into regions affected by climate disasters to aid in clean-up and rebuilding, facing significant occupational and environmental health risks. All three types of climate migrants are increasing, but little attention is given to the health and safety of these migrants. Frontline clinicians and community health centers play an increasingly important role regarding climate-related health conditions; up-to-date training of and support for clinicians can reduce climate-related morbidity and mortality, but clinicians on their own are unprepared to systematically address climate health inequity. Regulation needs to anticipate the health impacts of the advancing climate crisis by reinforcing the migration system to enable movement after a crisis and increasing worker protections to facilitate faster and safer climate response and post-disaster recovery.