Background: There is growing evidence that climate-related disasters increase rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. However, there are only limited understandings of the size and nature of such associations needed to inform appropriate programming. Gaps in evidence are particularly pronounced in the Pacific-one of the regions most at risk of increased disasters from climate change.
Methods: We analysed data from 450 men and 707 women collected as part of cross-sectional study of IPV experience, risk and protective factors in rural Samoan villages. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression models to assess associations between (1) men's and women's exposure to climate-related disasters and their mental health and (2) women's exposure to climate-related disasters and their risk of IPV in the previous 12 months.
Findings: Reported symptoms of depression and anxiety were associated with having experienced a disaster. Those who reported experiencing a disaster 2-3 times had 61% greater odds of reporting depression (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.58) and 88% greater odds of reporting anxiety (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.01 to 3.49), in comparison to those who reported never experiencing a disaster. Women who reported experiencing 2-3 disasters had more than twice the odds of experiencing recent IPV (adjusted OR, aOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.77 to 3.19), while those who reported experiencing 4+ disasters had over 8 times the odds (aOR 8.12; 95% CI 2.02 to 32.61).
Interpretation: This is one of the first studies in the Pacific region to provide quantitative evidence of associations between exposure to climate-related events and women's experiences of IPV. We identify a clear dose-response relationship between higher exposure to climate-related events and an increased risk of IPV for women. This points to the role of cumulative stress from experiencing repeat disasters in driving higher rates of IPV in climate-affected regions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11812868 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001088 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Climate risk exposure of global energy companies: Green chain vulnerability and countermeasures.
J Environ Manage
March 2025
School of Business, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Faculty of Finance, City University of Macau, Macau, China. Electronic address:
We investigate how green energy supply chain vulnerabilities (GESCV) amplify climate-related risk exposure among major energy firms across 36 countries from 2010 to 2023. Our benchmark model substantiates that GESCV amplifies corporate exposure to climate-related risks, with risk quantified using the Fama-French Three-Factor model. The adverse effects remain pronounced in developing countries, fossil fuel-based firms, and high-climate policy uncertainty groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDisruption to test scores after hurricanes in the United States.
Environ Res Health
June 2025
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America.
Quantifying how hurricanes disrupt educational attainment is essential to evaluating the burden of climate-related disasters. Here, we examine the association between hurricane-force tropical cyclones and educational attainment among elementary and middle school students in all affected areas in the United States during the 2008/2009-2017/2018 school years. Educational performance was based on county-level average standardized test scores in math and reading/language arts (RLAs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScoping review of climate drivers on maternal health: current evidence and clinical implications.
AJOG Glob Rep
February 2025
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT (Gleeson, Ickovics).
Objective: To systematically review the literature on associations between climate drivers and health outcomes among pregnant people. This review fills a gap by synthesizing evidence for a clinician audience.
Data Sources: Systematic scoping review of articles published in PubMed and clinicaltrials.
Imaging Climate-Related Environmental Exposures: Impact and Opportunity.
Can Assoc Radiol J
February 2025
Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Climate change is the most important challenge of this century. Global surface temperature is continuously rising to new record highs, adversely affecting the health of the planet and humans. The purpose of this article is to review the impact of climate related environmental exposures on human health, healthcare delivery, and medical imaging and explore the potential to leverage medical imaging as a non-invasive tool to advance our understanding of climate related health effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIs exposure to a climate-related disaster associated with recent experiences of intimate partner violence among women? A post hoc analysis of survey data from rural Samoa.
BMJ Public Health
January 2025
Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
Background: There is growing evidence that climate-related disasters increase rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. However, there are only limited understandings of the size and nature of such associations needed to inform appropriate programming. Gaps in evidence are particularly pronounced in the Pacific-one of the regions most at risk of increased disasters from climate change.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!