Climate Change and Health: Gender and Diversity
Authors: Dr. Shona Wynd and Stuart Watson
Climate change impacts health across all populations, but its effects are disproportionately severe for marginalised groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, gender-diverse communities, and aging populations. These intersecting vulnerabilities arise from systemic barriers, social inequities, and climate-related disruptions. Addressing these challenges through inclusive, equitable health strategies is essential to ensure that no one is left behind as we adapt to a changing climate.
How Climate Change Impacts Marginalised Groups
Gender-Based Violence: Displacement caused by extreme weather events increases the risk of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. Women, transgender individuals, LGBTQ+ youth, and older adults living in insecure conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Challenges for LGBTQI+ Communities: The LGBTQI+ community often faces heightened vulnerabilities in climate-affected areas due to existing stigma and discrimination. During displacement, many LGBTQI+ individuals encounter unsafe environments in shelters, exclusion from support networks, and difficulty accessing healthcare services that address their specific needs, such as mental health support or gender-affirming care. Marginalisation also limits their ability to access critical resources during climate emergencies.
Reproductive, Sexual, and Hygiene-Related Health: Climate-induced disruptions to water and sanitation systems exacerbate risks to sexual and reproductive health, especially for women and gender-diverse individuals. Inadequate access to clean water and hygiene facilities increases the prevalence of infections and complications during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Displacement further heightens these challenges, leaving many without access to essential health services.
Challenges for People Living with HIV (PLHIV): Displacement, food insecurity, and disrupted healthcare systems compromise the continuity of care for PLHIV. Limited access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and supportive healthcare infrastructure in climate-affected areas increase the risk of treatment interruptions, opportunistic infections, and disease progression.
Impacts on Aging Populations: Older adults face heightened vulnerabilities to climate impacts due to pre-existing health conditions, reduced mobility, and limited access to healthcare. Extreme weather events and displacement exacerbate these challenges, often leaving older adults isolated from critical support networks and unable to access essential medications.
Infectious Diseases: Crowded and unsanitary conditions in displaced communities heighten the risk of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue. Marginalized groups, including older adults and those with compromised immune systems, are disproportionately affected.
Mental Health Challenges: The mental health impacts of climate disruption - anxiety, depression, and trauma - are intensified for LGBTQI+ individuals, older adults, and other marginalized groups. Discrimination and social isolation further compound these challenges, reducing access to mental health resources in crisis situations.
Barriers to Health Equity
Discrimination in Healthcare: Stigma and bias against LGBTQ+ individuals, gender-diverse populations, and PLHIV prevent many from accessing timely and appropriate care, particularly in regions where such discrimination is institutionalised.
Economic Inequities: Marginalised groups, including aging populations reliant on fixed incomes, often lack the financial resources to adapt to climate challenges or access private healthcare services, leaving them highly vulnerable during crises.
Social Isolation: Older adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and PLHIV often experience social isolation, which reduces resilience and access to critical resources during climate emergencies. Limited mobility among older adults further exacerbates these barriers
Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: Healthcare systems in many climate-affected regions are not equipped to address the dual challenges of aging and climate vulnerability. Underfunded services fail to meet the specific needs of older adults, such as managing chronic conditions and ensuring continuity of care during disasters.
Key Strategies for Inclusive Health Responses
Building Inclusive and Age-Friendly Healthcare Systems:
Train healthcare workers to provide culturally competent, non-discriminatory care tailored to the needs of marginalized populations, including older adults.
Ensure healthcare facilities are age-friendly and address specific needs, such as managing chronic diseases, providing mental health support, and ensuring access to ART for PLHIV.
Enhancing Data Collection and Surveillance:
Collect and disaggregate health data by gender, sexual orientation, age, and health status to better understand vulnerabilities and design tailored interventions.
Monitor climate-sensitive health issues affecting aging populations to ensure proactive responses.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence:
Create accessible safe spaces for survivors of violence, with specific support for LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and older adults.
Integrate violence prevention and response measures into climate adaptation and disaster management frameworks.
Supporting Community-Led Initiatives:
Empower marginalised groups and older adults to lead resilience-building efforts and improve health outcomes in their communities.
Develop education programs addressing climate-related health risks, including sexual and reproductive health, while fostering inclusivity and awareness.
Policy Integration and Advocacy:
Advocate for the inclusion of gender, sexuality, diversity, and aging considerations in national climate and health policies.
Leverage international funding mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, to support inclusive health interventions.
Why This Matters
The intersection of climate change, gender, sexuality, diversity, and aging presents unique challenges that demand urgent action. Older adults, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and PLHIV are among those most affected by climate impacts but are least equipped to adapt. Addressing these systemic barriers and promoting equity-driven solutions will strengthen health systems, foster resilience, and ensure that no one is left behind in the face of climate change. By empowering communities and integrating inclusive strategies, we can build a sustainable, equitable response to these growing global challenges.
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