The impact of climate change on migration and travel with implications for public health practice are discussed in this literature review.
How climate change influences migration and travel is examined, and the implications of these processes for public health. Climate change is increasing temperatures, intensifying extreme weather events, and contributing to sea-level rise, which can reduce land productivity, food and water security, and ultimately lead to population displacement. These environmental changes interact with social, economic, and demographic factors to shape migration patterns.
It shows that migrants may face increased risks of communicable and non-communicable diseases due to conditions in their countries of origin, during migration, and in destination settings.
At the same time, growing travel and tourism, combined with climate-driven changes in disease ecology, are expanding the geographic range of vector-borne diseases, including into temperate and high-income regions.
The authors conclude that health systems must be prepared for the public health impacts of climate-related migration and travel. Integrated surveillance, early case detection, and coordinated public health interventions are essential to protect population health and prevent communicable disease outbreaks.
Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taz026
Reference
Semenza, J. C., & Ebi, K. L. (2019). Climate change impact on migration, travel, travel destinations and the tourism industry. Journal of travel medicine, 26(5), taz026