Presentation by Jesse E. Bell, PhD, Professor of Health and Environment at the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

1. Impacts of Drought on
Human Health in a
Global Pandemic
Jesse E. Bell, PhD
Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Health and Environment
College of Public Health
University of Nebraska Medical Center
10 July 2020

2. Drought is a Threat to Human Health
• Drought shapes history
• Drought causes large
economic impacts
• Drought is a driver of
conflict

3. Source: Adapted from EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Database, Belgium 2012
Keim, ME Extreme Weather Events: the role of public health
Worldwide Disaster-related Deaths According to Category:
1900-2013

4. United States: Drought Impacts
Bell et al., 2016

5.  Drought can be a slow evolving
 The impacts are not immediate
 Can require multiple steps for health outcomes
 Surveillance is not designed to connect
drought and health
Health Surveillance Data
Drought ? Health Outcome

6. Threat Multiplier
Extreme Heat Wildfires Water and Food Security
Air Quality Spread of Disease
Other Exposures

8. Health Outcomes
Exposure Pathways
Increase in Dust and dust Storms
Decrease in Water Quality and
Quantity
More Frequent and More Intense
Heat Waves
More Frequent Wildfires
Change in Vector Habitat and Range
Loss of Agriculture and Food Security
Infectious Disease
Mental Health Consequences
Injuries
Respiratory Issues
Hunger/Famine
Heat Illnesses
Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Allergy-related Illnesses
Agricultural
Management
Practices
Preparedness of
Health Departments
Local Environmental
Conditions
Power, Transportation,
Communication and
Healthcare
Infrastructure
Social
Determinants of
Health
Occupation Rural/Urban Race/Literacy/Age
Dependence on
Caregivers and
Medication
Water Supply
Environmental & Institutional
Context
Meteorological Drought
Agricultural Drought
Socio-economical
Drought
Hydrological Drought
Drought Types
Social & Behavioral
Context

9. Investment in Health Departments
• Engagement with Health
Departments and Health
Professionals
• Drought and Public Health
Summit, 2019
• Drought and Human Health
Workshops
– Education
– Identify gaps
– Coordination and Engagement

10. At-Risk Populations
Drought COVID-19
Older Adults Older Adults
Lower Socioeconomic Status Lower Socioeconomic Status
Children
Individuals with preexisting
respiratory and heart conditions
Migrant Workers
Rural Communities
Higher Densely Populated Areas
Inadequate Access to Water
Developmental and
Behavioral Health Issues
Individuals with preexisting
respiratory and heart issues
Migrant Workers
Developmental and
Behavioral Health Issues
Inadequate Access to Water
Chronic Kidney Disease
Sickle Cell Disease

11. Summary
• Drought is linked to human health
• At-risk populations are similar for drought and
COVID-19
– Drought can potentially cause cascading impacts on
populations exposed to COVID-19
• Drought programs designed to assist socially
disadvantaged groups can also assist populations
impacted by COVID-19
• Engage with health departments to understand
drought impacts on health