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 year after a storm and diminished after two years.
Importantly, the increase in mortality was not linked to disruptions in nutrition or healthcare services, suggesting that other unidentified factors are contributing to the rise in deaths. The storms studied were not limited to high-intensity systems; frequent, lower-strength cyclones also showed strong links to infant deaths, indicating that storm frequency, not just severity, poses a major public health risk.
The researchers examined data from Bangladesh, India, Madagascar, Cambodia, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. The impacts varied widely between countries. Bangladesh, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic experienced the most significant increases in infant mortality, with more than 10 additional deaths per 1,000 live births in some cases. Meanwhile, India, Madagascar, Cambodia, and the Philippines saw minimal or no rise in infant deaths.
These disparities are believed to be influenced by differences in geography, housing quality, infrastructure resilience, and the capacity of health systems. Mountainous terrain in some countries may offer natural protection, while others are more prone to flooding. Similarly, variations in public health preparedness, evacuation plans, and the structural integrity of homes likely play a role in determining outcomes after storms.
The findings underscore the growing threat climate change poses to child survival in developing countries. As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones are projected to increase, making such weather-related health crises more common.
Researchers stress the need for targeted investments in disaster preparedness and health system strengthening to protect infants and children. Measures such as building storm-resilient infrastructure, improving maternal and child healthcare services, and developing rapid response systems could help reduce storm-related mortality.
The study highlights the urgency of addressing climate-linked health vulnerabilities in the world’s poorest regions. With infants and young children particularly susceptible to the cascading impacts of climate disasters, the research points to an urgent global need for more equitable climate action and stronger protections for at-risk populations.