Climate Change, Migration, and Health Disparities at and Beyond the US-Mexico Border
Environmental policy and planning Professor Michael Méndez (UCI), Director Manuel Pastor (USC ERI), and Undergraduate Researcher Angelu C. Lesaca (UCI) wrote a journal article on JAMA Network that casts a stark light on the impact of climate change on displacement and public health.
Citing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the article notes that weather-related disasters displaced an average of 21.5 million people annually over two decades, a figure that starkly exceeds those displaced by conflict. This research emphasizes the plight of vulnerable populations, such as undocumented, rural, and Indigenous communities, detailing their disproportionate burden and the urgent need for inclusive, equitable climate action and healthcare access to mitigate these impacts.