Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context

Introduction: The understanding of the role of climate change in worsening health outcomes and social disparities is growing, highlighting poverty as a key factor amplifying exposure to environmental hazards and as a result of such exposure. However, there has been insufficient focus on the unique r...

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Main Authors: Mariya Bezgrebelna, Emil Aliyev, Yaa S.A. Amoah, Donna Atkinson, Susan Bell Chiblow, Mardi Daley, Julie L. Drolet, Amber Fletcher, Sherilee Harper, Glen P. Kenny, Leanne M. Lacap, Kwame McKenzie, Abhay Sachal, Pierre Valois, Gregor Wolbring, Edward C. Xie, Sean A. Kidd
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:The Journal of Climate Change and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278224000518
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author Mariya Bezgrebelna
Emil Aliyev
Yaa S.A. Amoah
Donna Atkinson
Susan Bell Chiblow
Mardi Daley
Julie L. Drolet
Amber Fletcher
Sherilee Harper
Glen P. Kenny
Leanne M. Lacap
Kwame McKenzie
Abhay Sachal
Pierre Valois
Gregor Wolbring
Edward C. Xie
Sean A. Kidd
author_facet Mariya Bezgrebelna
Emil Aliyev
Yaa S.A. Amoah
Donna Atkinson
Susan Bell Chiblow
Mardi Daley
Julie L. Drolet
Amber Fletcher
Sherilee Harper
Glen P. Kenny
Leanne M. Lacap
Kwame McKenzie
Abhay Sachal
Pierre Valois
Gregor Wolbring
Edward C. Xie
Sean A. Kidd
author_sort Mariya Bezgrebelna
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The understanding of the role of climate change in worsening health outcomes and social disparities is growing, highlighting poverty as a key factor amplifying exposure to environmental hazards and as a result of such exposure. However, there has been insufficient focus on the unique risks encountered in Canada, highlighting the necessity for targeted understanding to inform and evaluate effective responses. The question guiding the present scoping review is: In the Canadian context, what are the impacts and implications of climate change and weather extremes on the physical and mental health of those experiencing poverty, as evidenced in the peer-reviewed academic literature? Methods: A systematic search was conducted within the following four databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, using key terms related to poverty, climate change, and health and well-being in the Canadian context. Primary research and review articles published in English were included (n = 28). Results: The articles included 23 reports of primary research and five reviews, spanning 2000 to 2022. Six theme areas emerged at the climate change, poverty, and health intersection in Canada: heat, air pollution, food security, pollen, wildfire evacuation, and health systems. Discussion: Addressing poverty reduction is identified as a critical lever for reducing environmental risks and enhancing resilience, although challenges remain in implementing evidence-based interventions due to significant gaps in knowledge. Future research should consider exploring outcomes disaggregated by sociodemographic factors, interconnections between heat and air pollution, and interventions targeting vulnerable groups.
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spelling doaj-art-ec9865ef2f5c4b34a3b9bb36fe3cc9cc2025-08-20T02:38:58ZengElsevierThe Journal of Climate Change and Health2667-27822024-11-012010034810.1016/j.joclim.2024.100348Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian contextMariya Bezgrebelna0Emil Aliyev1Yaa S.A. Amoah2Donna Atkinson3Susan Bell Chiblow4Mardi Daley5Julie L. Drolet6Amber Fletcher7Sherilee Harper8Glen P. Kenny9Leanne M. Lacap10Kwame McKenzie11Abhay Sachal12Pierre Valois13Gregor Wolbring14Edward C. Xie15Sean A. Kidd16Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, Canada; Corresponding author at: Research Analyst, Schizophrenia Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1051 Queen Street West, Room 2417, Toronto ON M6J 1H4.Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, Canada; Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7M9, CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, Canada; Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7M9, CanadaNational Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, CanadaSchool of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, CanadaFaculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4P6, CanadaDepartment of Sociology & Social Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, CanadaSchool of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, CanadaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5S9, CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, CanadaFaculty of Education, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, CanadaFaculté des Sciences de l’Éducation, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, CanadaCumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, CanadaDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, CanadaIntroduction: The understanding of the role of climate change in worsening health outcomes and social disparities is growing, highlighting poverty as a key factor amplifying exposure to environmental hazards and as a result of such exposure. However, there has been insufficient focus on the unique risks encountered in Canada, highlighting the necessity for targeted understanding to inform and evaluate effective responses. The question guiding the present scoping review is: In the Canadian context, what are the impacts and implications of climate change and weather extremes on the physical and mental health of those experiencing poverty, as evidenced in the peer-reviewed academic literature? Methods: A systematic search was conducted within the following four databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, using key terms related to poverty, climate change, and health and well-being in the Canadian context. Primary research and review articles published in English were included (n = 28). Results: The articles included 23 reports of primary research and five reviews, spanning 2000 to 2022. Six theme areas emerged at the climate change, poverty, and health intersection in Canada: heat, air pollution, food security, pollen, wildfire evacuation, and health systems. Discussion: Addressing poverty reduction is identified as a critical lever for reducing environmental risks and enhancing resilience, although challenges remain in implementing evidence-based interventions due to significant gaps in knowledge. Future research should consider exploring outcomes disaggregated by sociodemographic factors, interconnections between heat and air pollution, and interventions targeting vulnerable groups.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278224000518Climate changeExtreme weatherHealthPoverty
spellingShingle Mariya Bezgrebelna
Emil Aliyev
Yaa S.A. Amoah
Donna Atkinson
Susan Bell Chiblow
Mardi Daley
Julie L. Drolet
Amber Fletcher
Sherilee Harper
Glen P. Kenny
Leanne M. Lacap
Kwame McKenzie
Abhay Sachal
Pierre Valois
Gregor Wolbring
Edward C. Xie
Sean A. Kidd
Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
The Journal of Climate Change and Health
Climate change
Extreme weather
Health
Poverty
title Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
title_full Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
title_fullStr Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
title_full_unstemmed Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
title_short Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context
title_sort climate change poverty and health a scoping review of the canadian context
topic Climate change
Extreme weather
Health
Poverty
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278224000518
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