Economic impacts associated with the health effects of climate change in South America: a scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review assesses the current evidence on the health impacts of climate change and associated economic costs in South America. In total, 3281 studies were identified using a systematic search strategy, but only 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. The results from these articles indicate that the health effects of climate change will likely be costly for South America; however, evidence is limited to a handful of countries or regional analyses that ignore heterogeneity across and within countries. Most of the analysed studies looking at extreme weather events related to climate change focus on the effects and costs of droughts and fire events. A broader understanding of the topic could be achieved by estimating other extreme weather events' health effects and costs, using appropriate research methods to identify causal impacts, and including a more comprehensive and representative regional population sample. Beyond identifying effects, it is important to investigate demand responses for healthcare services, associated costs, availability and expansion of infrastructure, and cost-effectiveness of policies aimed at coping with and adapting to the health dimension of climate change.