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Existing Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing Drought and Health Research

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Drought is one of the most far-reaching natural disasters, yet drought and health research is sparse. This may be attributed to the challenge of quantifying drought exposure, something complicated by multiple drought indices without any designed for health research. The purpose of this general review is to evaluate current drought and health literature and highlight challenges or scientific considerations when performing drought exposure and health assessments.

Recent Findings

The literature revealed a small, but growing, number of drought and health studies primarily emphasizing Australian, western European, and US populations. The selection of drought indices and definitions of drought are inconsistent. Rural and agricultural populations have been identified as vulnerable cohorts, particularly for mental health outcomes.

Summary

Using relevant examples, we discuss the importance of characterizing drought and explore why health outcomes, populations of interest, and compound environmental hazards are crucial considerations for drought and health assessments. As climate and health research is prioritized, we propose guidance for investigators performing drought-focused analyses.

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Funding

This work was partially supported by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Integrated Drought Information System (grant NA20 OAR4310368), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (grant U54 OH007548-15) awarded to the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (ROSES grant 8ONSSC22K1050).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code #807, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Jesse D. Berman

  2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    Azar M. Abadi

  3. Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, Medical Center College of Public Health, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA

    Jesse E. Bell

  4. School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

    Jesse E. Bell

  5. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

    Jesse E. Bell

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  1. Jesse D. Berman
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  2. Azar M. Abadi
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  3. Jesse E. Bell
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Contributions

JDB, AMA, and JEB conceptualized the topic. JDB drafted the manuscript text and prepared the figures. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jesse D. Berman.

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Berman, J.D., Abadi, A.M. & Bell, J.E. Existing Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing Drought and Health Research. Curr Envir Health Rpt (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00440-z

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