Articles | Volume 26, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2865-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2865-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Brief communication
| 
16 Jun 2026
Brief communication |
| 16 Jun 2026
| 16 Jun 2026
Brief communication: Drought economic assessments must include human health impacts
Alexandre Cunha Costa
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, PB, the Netherlands
Engineering and Sustainable Development Institute, University for International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção, Ceara, Brazil
Francisco Gildemir Ferreira da Silva
Economy Graduate Program, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
Rafaella Pessoa Moreira
Health Sciences Institute, University for International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção, Ceara, Brazil
Eduardo Sávio Passos Rodrigues Martins
Posgradute Program in Civil Engineering, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
Luewton Lemos Felício Agostinho
Water Technology Research Group, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
Pieter Richard van Oel
Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, PB, the Netherlands
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Cited articles
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Short summary
Many studies highlight drought impacts on productive sectors, such as agriculture and navigation, but economic consequences for human health remain understudied. We conducted an economic valuation of drought-related health interventions in Brazil, showing that ensuring groundwater access during severe droughts can avert substantial losses. Estimated benefits from reduced diarrhea hospitalizations total 9.92 % of local GDP (Gross Domestic Product), with avoidable losses reaching USD 1.15 billion at the state level.
Many studies highlight drought impacts on productive sectors, such as agriculture and...
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