Climate change and water-related diseases: a bibliometric, knowledge map, topic modeling, and content analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Climate change is increasingly linked to the spread of water-related diseases (WRDs).
• Research on this topic has surged, particularly after 2007, but exhibits significant geographic concentration.
• A notable evidence gap exists for high-risk regions due to centralized collaboration networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the evolving research landscape on climate change and water-related diseases (WRDs) from 1995 to 2025.
• To identify key research themes, geographic focus, collaboration patterns, and emerging trends.
• To highlight the implementation gap in translating climate-health risk knowledge into adaptation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis
• Knowledge mapping
• BERTopic modeling
• Content analysis of high-impact studies

Main Results:

• Publication volume increased significantly, peaking in 2024, with the US, China, and UK as leading contributors.
• Malaria and dengue dominate the literature, but research is shifting towards risk modeling and vector habitat suitability.
• Studies reveal expanding WRD ranges and seasonality due to extreme weather, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.

Conclusions:

• Translating climate-health risk knowledge into effective adaptation remains a challenge.
• Bridging the implementation gap requires investment in early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and public health interventions.
• Strategic action is crucial to protect vulnerable populations from climate-sensitive diseases.