How climate change is shaping health: results from a qualitative study in Bangladesh, Guatemala and Nigeria

Climate change is affecting the health and well-being of adolescents and young people (AYP). Climate events will have cascading harms and impacts on the life trajectories of the rising generation, as they face negative impacts on their educational attainment, economic prospects, and physical and mental health. However, young people are often excluded from climate research and policy decisions. The Population Council and Women Deliver conducted participatory, AYP co-led focus group discussions in three countries (Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Nigeria) to understand how young people perceive the effects of climate on their lives. We interviewed a total of 196 AYP ages 12-25 years. Respondents discussed a range of health-related harms due to climate change from malnutrition, increased risk of infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health issues, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges. In Bangladesh, young people discussed increasing child marriage, and the menstrual hygiene challenges during flood events when clean water is scarce in shelters. In Guatemala, indigenous youth described a movement toward monocultures and palm oil, linked with loss of land rights, and increased gender-based violence as migrants from outside the community came to work. In Nigeria, youth attributed shifting gender norms and women taking on traditionally male-dominated roles to offset economic loss, resulting in tensions and increased gender-based violence. In all three countries, AYP discussed how climate change leads to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about their futures and reinforces cycles of poverty. By presenting findings in AYP’s own words, we aim to translate their experiences and observations into concrete findings that can be used to develop policies and programs that will directly address their needs.