Assessment of climate drivers of migration and neglected infectious disease risk in Latin American and Caribbean migrants Restricted; Files Only
Herrera, Clary (Spring 2022)
Published
Abstract
Introduction
Climate change-related factors have led to an increase in migration from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to the United States. Climate change has both influenced the agricultural and socioeconomic infrastructure of LAC countries and is leading to emergence and reemergence of waterborne, helminth transmitted, and vector borne infectious diseases. This pilot study aimed to identify climate-related drivers of migration and to describe the burden of climate-sensitive neglected infectious diseases (NTD) in immigrants arriving in the US. The objective is to help understand the role of climate change in decisions to immigrate from Latin America and the Caribbean to the Atlanta-metro area.
Methods
First generation migrants from LAC countries living in the Atlanta-metro area were recruited through a local clinic, varied community services, and places of employment between May and December 2021, and were invited to enroll into this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a survey concerning demographics, socioeconomics, living conditions in their country of origin and living conditions in Atlanta, and motivations for migration. Blood and stool samples were collected to identify Chagas and soil-transmitted helminths, and exposed skin exams were performed to screen for leprosy and leishmaniasis. Descriptive analysis, including means and frequencies, were performed using SAS. A multivariable logistic regression analysis of this dataset looked at the association between a climate-driven motivation to migrate and geographic and socioeconomic factors.
Results
Sixty participants were enrolled with survey data available for 57 participants. Eleven LAC countries were represented, with most migrants originating from Central America (n=32; 56%) and Mexico (n=13; 23%). Forty-two participants claimed to have perceived a climate change in their country of origin, and direct climate drivers (e.g., floods, drought, etc.) were identified by 12 participants (21.4%). The primary climate and environmental factors were water scarcity (29.4%) and land loss, hurricanes, and climate change (11.8%). Infectious diseases screening found one (2.5%) positive Chagas case out of 40 blood samples. Food insecurity, agriculture work, and Central American countries were associated with climate-driven migration, odds ratios (aOR) of 6.3 (95% CI 1.1, 35.5), 5.7 (95% CI 0.7, 43.8), and 0.4 (95% CI 0.1, 2.1), respectively.
Conclusions
While most participants did not directly identify climate change as a reason for migration, our study reveals many factors such as food insecurity, agricultural occupations, and region of origin that may underlie to climate-motivated migration. The potential role of climate change in infectious disease transmission in LAC populations warrants additional study and improved surveillance, including studies in LAC countries, and screenings for newly arrived immigrants that focus on region-specific NTDs.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………….……….1
METHODS……………………………………………………………….………………...5
RESULTS……………………………………………………………….…………………11
DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………….……………14
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………….……..20
TABLE 1…………………………………………………………….…………………….23
TABLE 2…………………………………………………………….…………………….24
TABLE 3…………………………………………………………….…………………….25
TABLE 4…………………………………………………………….…………………….26
TABLE 5…………………………………………………………….…………………….27
TABLE 6…………………………………………………………….…………………….28
APPENDIX 1…………………………………………………………….………………29
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File download under embargo until 23 May 2024 | 2022-04-25 15:44:17 -0400 | File download under embargo until 23 May 2024 |
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