Racial and Economic Disparities in High-Temperature Exposure in Brazil

Primary studies analyzing the distribution of exposure to the consequences of climate change among different vulnerable groups are scarce. This study addresses this gap by investigating racial and economic disparities in high-temperature exposure in Brazil, focusing on the impact on vulnerable subpopulations. We utilized georeferenced temperature data from the Global High-Resolution Estimates of Extreme Heat (GEHE) and population data from the 2010 Census. The disparity analyses included (i) estimating the exposure rate to temperatures exceeding 28 °C, expressed as population-weighted heat exposure (PHE¯); (ii) determining the difference in exposure between the most and least exposed groups; and (iii) calculating weighted Gini coefficients. The findings reveal that low-income and black, brown, and indigenous populations are predominantly the most exposed to PHE¯ exceeding 28 °C. Nationally, the indigenous population is the most exposed racial group, with a PHE¯ 47% higher than that of the white population. Stratified analyses indicate that, despite varying climatic and environmental conditions across regions, the black-brown-indigenous population consistently faces the highest heat exposure in Brazil. Income disparity analyses show that the lowest per capita income groups are the most exposed to high temperatures across the country. The study highlights the impact of climate change on economic inequality and the deepening of within-country inequalities, particularly affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. These findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-informed public policies to address racial and economic disparities in high-temperature exposure, mitigate health risks associated with climate change, and emphasize the importance of context-sensitive analyses for a comprehensive understanding of heat-related risks and public health.