JAHA at Scientific Sessions 2024: Climate Change-Related Cardiovascular Health Effects in the Global South

Climate change poses an escalating threat to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health in the Global South, where vulnerability is amplified by rapid urbanization, poverty, and weak infrastructure. Air pollution (driven by fossil fuel use, industrial growth, and poor regulation) remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness, with regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the highest burdens. Extreme heat, floods, and natural disasters further compound cardiovascular risks through direct physiological stress and disruption of health care systems. Urban heat islands intensify the impact of rising temperatures, especially in low-income and historically marginalized communities with limited access to cooling. Meanwhile, increasingly severe floods, particularly in South and East Asia, demand improved disaster preparedness and urban planning to reduce exposure and health impacts. Many cities in rapidly urbanizing cities in Africa lack basic sanitation and access to clean water, air, and soil. These could have magnified impacts on populations during climate emergencies. To address these interconnected challenges, a global, equity-centered approach is needed, one that strengthens regulatory frameworks, expands access to clean energy and cooling technologies, and promotes urban resilience. Collaborative efforts in air quality monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation financing must prioritize the unique needs of the Global South, guided by context-specific, scalable solutions that also incorporate intergenerational and environmental justice considerations.