Direct Injuries Displacement and Conflict
Drought exposure and the risk of sexual, emotional, and physical violence against adolescents in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho: an observational study. The Lancet Planetary Health.
• Research & Reports
WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Direct Injuries
The degradation of Earth’s natural systems has a profound impact on the risk of direct physical trauma and injuries, primarily through the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather and other disasters.
Direct and traumatic injuries include medical conditions such as burns, broken bones, head injuries, and wounds. Climate change, driven by deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem destruction, has been linked to more intense hurricanes, floods, and wildfires which cause injuries and deaths. Deforestation and land-use changes further exacerbate the risk of hazards, such as landslides. In Indonesia, for example, deforestation and mining have intensified landslides, leading to significant casualties.
Urban areas with inadequate infrastructure and preparedness are particularly vulnerable. Poorly constructed buildings, insufficient drainage systems, and lack of disaster readiness amplify the impact of environmental crises, leading to higher injury rates. This disparity is particularly evident in low-income communities, which often face greater exposure to physical harm during extreme weather events.
Heat-related fatigue can impact workers’ alertness to job-related dangers, which can increase the chance of injury or death due to safety lapses.
Addressing the link between environmental degradation and physical trauma requires restoring natural ecosystems and strengthening disaster preparedness. Integrating sustainable land management practices, improving urban infrastructure, and protecting natural barriers can reduce the burden of trauma and injury while enhancing community resilience.
Direct Injuries Resources
Direct Injuries Air Pollution
The world’s children suffer brunt of wildfire smoke health impacts. Mongabay.
Around 270,000 children under 5 die annually from wildfire smoke, mostly in low-income countries. Studies link exposure to serious physical and mental health effects, with recent research in Mozambique showing spikes in hospital visits after fires.
• News
Direct Injuries Chemical Pollution
Short-term effects of chemical and noise pollution during heat and cold waves on emergency hospital admissions in Madrid. International Journal of Biometeorology.
This study examined how chemical air pollution and noise affect emergency hospital admissions in Madrid during hot and cold months. It found that both pollutants, especially noise, significantly impact vulnerable groups like children and older adults.
• Research & Reports
Direct Injuries Climate Change
Is exposure to a climate-related disaster associated with recent experiences of intimate partner violence among women? A post hoc analysis of survey data from rural Samoa. BMJ Public Health.
• Research & Reports
Direct Injuries Climate Change
Landslides in Indonesia’s Sumatra kill at least 27, rescuers search for missing. Reuters.
• News
