Drought is a growing public health threat in the context of climate change, with wide-ranging impacts on physical and mental health. As both slow-onset and flash droughts become more frequent and severe, they disrupt water systems, food security, air quality, and economic stability—factors closely tied to human health outcomes. Emerging evidence links drought conditions to increased risks of respiratory illness, cardiovascular stress, adverse birth outcomes, and suicide, particularly in regions with limited adaptive capacity.
The health effects of drought are mediated not only by environmental exposure but also by social vulnerability, infrastructure resilience, and public health preparedness. Despite its far-reaching implications, drought remains underrepresented in the health and climate policy discourse, especially compared to other climate hazards. Geographic disparities in drought exposure and health surveillance further widen gaps in our understanding of who is most at risk.
There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary research that integrates climate science, epidemiology, and geospatial analysis to quantify health impacts and inform targeted interventions. Strengthening drought monitoring systems, enhancing early warning tools, and embedding health metrics into climate adaptation planning are critical steps toward protecting population health in a warming, water-stressed world.