Climate Change, Racism, and Food Insecurity: Cyclical Impacts of Stressors Exacerbate Health Disparities

Introduction: Disadvantaged populations have higher rates of chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Race, ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status, and poverty all contribute to these disproportionate rates. Other factors, including systemic racism, climate change, poor diet, lack of food access, and epigenetic influences, that are distributed and experienced differently across vulnerable populations also play a significant role in the development of chronic diseases. This comprehensive review of contributors to chronic diseases emphasizes a unique focus on these identified emerging factors. Methods: An ad hoc literature review using OVID Medline and Web of Science was conducted. Results: Findings from prior studies indicate that multiple stressors, both in isolation and in combination, and their negative impacts on both physical and mental health of minorities are exacerbated by climate change. Discussion: Various stressors dramatically increase chronic disease risk in minority groups. Recommendations for future research to elucidate the impacts of climatic, racial, and dietary adversity with minority populations are presented. Further study in this area is critical for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and improving public health outcomes.