Recap: CAFE's State of the Science Webinar on Droughts

Thank you to all who joined CAFE’s State of the Science: Droughts and Health webinar with Dr. Jesse Berman from the University of Minnesota! If you missed it, or want to revisit key points, here’s a recap, with links to the relevant moments in the recording.

The Hidden Crisis

Of everyone affected by natural disasters around the world, 35% are affected by droughts, yet this is an area that remains understudied. Dr. Berman noted that, unlike dramatic hurricanes or wildfires, droughts' gradual nature does not capture public attention despite its significant impact. 

Research Challenge

Dr. Berman explained the complexity of studying this topic. Unlike direct exposures like heat or air pollution, droughts affect health indirectly through a series of secondary events, like increased dust, changes in the chemical composition of dust, or loss of economic stability, making it challenging to study.

Health Impacts

• Occupational Stress: Dr. Berman discussed his study of Midwestern farmers, drought conditions exacerbated stress 4x higher than other stressors, such as existing pain.
• Compound effects: Dr. Berman explored the compound effects that droughts can have on populations during heat wave events.
• Specific disease impacts: Dr. Berman covered the different drought conditions that enable diseases like West Nile and Lyme Disease to spread.

Key Takeaways

Unlike acute weather events, drought’s gradual nature allows time for interventions. “We can put policies into place before droughts become severe,” Dr. Berman emphasized. 

Current research priorities include developing standardized metrics, better identifying at-risk populations, and developing early warning systems that help policymakers better prepare their communities for resilience.

Photo: © Rhett Ayers Butler - stock.adobe.com