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Some health effects of drought are easy to observe and measure, but drought’s slow rise can result in indirect health implications that are more difficult to recognize.

Drought and Public Health

A mosquito on a leaf

 

Over the last century, droughts have caused more deaths internationally than any other weather- or climate-related disaster. In the United States, drought impacts on public health include changes in air quality, changes in water quality and quantity, increased incidence of illness and disease, and mental health effects.

 

Data, Maps, and Tools

Vulnerable populations—people living in neighborhoods with social factors such as poverty, lack of vehicle access, or crowded housing—may be disproportionately affected by drought impacts. 

Public Health and Drought Conditions

Air Quality
U.S. Drought Monitor
Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
U.S. Drought Monitor

Impacts and Related Content

Air Quality

Air quality can decrease during drought events as a result of dust storms or wildfires. Particulates in the air irritate the lungs and bronchial passages and exacerbate chronic respiratory conditions.

Increased Incidence of Illness and Disease

Drought conditions can change how often and where certain diseases occur. For instance, mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus can move to new locations when water bodies become stagnant and create new breeding grounds. Also, there is a higher risk for contracting a lung infection called Valley Fever, caused by a fungus in the soil, in dry and dusty soil conditions. 

Mental Health Impacts

Complex relationships between drought and its associated economic consequences can increase mood disorders, domestic violence, and suicide. 

By Sector | Public Health

The impacts of drought on hospital admissions and deaths depend on drought severity and the history of droughts in a region. Learn more about drought's impacts on the public health sector.

Public Health Research and Resources