Climate Change, Health, and Migration in LAC

This chapter examines the interconnectedness of climate change, health, and migration in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). A comprehensive literature review identified severe and disproportionate consequences of climate change on the health of migrants, with major impacts on vulnerable mobile groups such as indigenous peoples, children, women, and the LGBTI+ community. We analyzed the consequences of infectious diseases, such as vector-borne and neglected diseases, as well as non-communicable diseases and mental health. The findings highlight the urgent need to generate evidence on climate-induced migration at sub-regional and national level and to address the vulnerability of marginalized groups that contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions, a matter of climate justice. Additionally, there is a need for further research on the health impacts of climate change on migrants in LAC, including those that migrate for non-climate-related reasons. These knowledge and action gaps underscore the importance of designing tailored health policies that ensure to reduce the vulnerability of migrants to health threats.