Climate change, human migration and health nexus: what do we know about public health implications on a global scale?

Abstract

Objective: to address the nexus among climate change, migration, and health at global and Italian levels.

Design: narrative review.

Setting and participants: comprehensive, critical, and objective analysis of the current knowledge on the topic by searching online databases.

Main outcome measures: evidence from the literature examining health issues associated with migration in the context of climate change.

Results: anthropogenic climate change has recently influenced the scale and patterns of human mobility, not only as a driver of migration, but also by interacting with and amplifying the effects of migration determinants, including health determinants. Despite research focusing on the distinct relationship between climate change and migration, as well as climate change and health, little attention has been paid to the nexus among climate change, migration, and health. Evidence available examining various health issues associated with migration in the context of climate change include changing patterns of infectious diseases and their risks, rising cases of malnutrition, trauma and injuries, changing patterns of noncommunicable diseases, impact on mental health. Inadequacy of access to health services due to the weakening and overstretching health systems also plays an important role. In a country like Italy, even if the immediate threats posed by climate change differ from one area to another, these threats are already exacerbating the country's existing infrastructure deficiencies, industrial pollution, and hydrogeological and seismic vulnerability. In addition, Italy has historically been a destination country of immigrant afflux through different migration routes. It is possible that the consequences of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa will drive a growing number of people to cross the sea to reach Europe, specifically Italy. Conclusions: climate change, human migration, and health should be considered as an interconnected and complex issue. A shift to climate resilient health systems' is a useful precautionary measure as it aims to strengthen multiple aspects of national and sub-national health systems, regardless of the extent to which climate-related migration might occur.

Keywords: Climate change; Migration; Public health.