Work

Brief communication: Drought economic assessments must include human health impacts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: . The economic valuation of drought-related health interventions reveals that ensuring groundwater access during severe droughts could avert significant losses in Northeast Brazil. Estimated benefits from reduced diarrhea hospitalizations and mortality total 9.92 % of local GDP. When scaled to state level, avoidable losses may reach USD 1.15 billion, which are comparable to the economic drought’s impacts on productive sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, and industry, underscoring the macroeconomic relevance of investing in resilient water infrastructure in a health-promoting perspective.

Source: Natural hazards and earth system sciences

DOI: 10.5194/nhess-26-2865-2026

Authors: Alexandre C. Costa, Francisco G. F. da Silva, Rafaella P. Moreira, Eduardo S. P. R. Martins, Luewton L. F. Agostinho, Pieter R. van Oel

Institutions: University for International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Wageningen University & Research, Universidade Federal do Ceará, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Water resources management and optimization

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Clean water and sanitation, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,553