Heat summary - Chapter 11: drought and human health
This page summarises Chapter 11 of the Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) report with a focus on the impact of heat on drought and human health. This is part of the science and stats section for the hazard: heat.
Applies to England
CCHS navigation menu:
CCHS homepage
Topic: climate-related hazards
Hazard: all climate-related hazards, heat
Part of: heat summary - full HECC report
Key resources for HECC Chapter 11:
- Heat summary - Chapter 11: drought and human health
- Chapter 11 full report (pdf)
Heat summary of Chapter 11
A drought is a prolonged period of abnormally dry weather. Droughts are increasing in their severity and frequency because of climate change. Their Impacts are typically slow-onset, and occur alongside other hazards like heatwaves and wildfires meaning it can be hard to understand their impacts on health. These hazards work in feedback loops to exacerbate their impacts. For example, drier soil during a drought can lead to a heightened risk of wildfire. Heatwaves during drought can also cause increased concentrations of dust and pollutants, worsening air quality and respiratory conditions.
The direct effects of drought include an impact on water quality and quantity, and lower crop yields. Drought can lead to reduced water availability, and in future this could result in a water supply deficit across much of the UK, alongside a reduction in water quality. Indirectly, droughts can influence vector habitat and in turn vector-borne diseases. Lower water levels lead to the collection of stagnant water, which, when combined with higher temperatures, creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes which may carry diseases like West Nile virus and dengue fever.
Drought combined with heat stress can severely impact crop yields, leading to food shortages and increased food prices. Droughts impact food security because of their potential to disrupt ecosystems, agriculture and food supply chains. Because the UK imports a lot of its fresh fruit, if this becomes more expensive because of drought in other countries then inequalities could result because those on lower incomes may become more reliant on buying less nutritional food.
Droughts also impact mental health. Particularly for those in rural settings, the reduced crop yield associated with drought means people can suffer emotional distress and worry about their communities.