New research by EIU faculty shows poverty acts as a “bridge” between natural disasters and child mortality.
Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a fundamental driver of social inequality—particularly in children’s health—by increasing poverty. This is a key conclusion from a study published in the international journal Economic Change and Restructuring (SSCI, Q1), conducted by Dr. Huynh Cong Minh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, and MSc. Tran Bao Khuyen, lecturer at the same faculty at Eastern International University (EIU).
“Poor children are the most vulnerable to natural disasters, as they often lack safe shelter and have limited access to healthcare, immunization, and basic nutrition,” said MSc. Tran Bao Khuyen.
Dr. Huynh Cong Minh, Vice Dean of Business Administration, lead author of the study
How does climate change affect children’s health?
Based on data from 63 provinces in Vietnam from 2006 to 2023, the research analyzed the impact of climate change measured by disaster-related losses and deaths on child mortality rates, with a focus on two key indicators: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). The study found that: Climate change increases poverty, especially in coastal provinces, rural areas, and regions dependent on agriculture. Higher poverty rates lead to significant health inequality among children, limiting access to medical care, vaccinations, clean water, and nutrition. Poverty serves as a mediator: Climate change not only directly affects children’s health but also indirectly increases child mortality through its impoverishing effects on communities. The impact is stronger for children under five, who are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment and living conditions.
A multi-sectoral approach is needed to protect children from natural disasters
“To reduce child health inequality in the context of climate change, health, environmental, and poverty-reduction policies must be closely coordinated. Key solutions include investment in immunization, healthcare infrastructure, and clean water systems. In addition, to reduce the indirect effects of poverty, policies should focus on economic growth, improving governance quality, enhancing education access, and creating jobs,” emphasized Dr. Huynh Cong Minh.
Beyond these findings, the research team also recommends prioritizing poverty reduction in regions most vulnerable to climate change, strengthening local healthcare systems, and expanding immunization programs to protect children from disease and malnutrition. Furthermore, climate adaptation policies must be designed based on social equity principles, focusing on supporting the most vulnerable populations particularly children and women.
The study was published in the journal Economic Change and Restructuring (SSCI Q1) in September 2024.
