
Tropical Storms Drive Infant Deaths in Poor Nations, Global Study Finds
A new study has revealed a sharp rise in infant mortality following exposure to tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries, raising concerns about how climate change is intensifying health risks for the most vulnerable. Published in Science Advances, the research shows that even low-strength storms not just major hurricanes are linked to increased deaths among infants.
The study analyzed health data from nearly 1.7 million children across seven countries and found that infants exposed to tropical cyclones in the womb or within their first year of life were significantly more likely to die. On average, infant mortality rose by 11 percent, equivalent to 4.4 additional deaths per 1,000 live births, following storm exposure. The elevated risk was most pronounced within the first ...