How floods and storms harm children's health in low- and middle-income countries
The Impact of Natural Disasters on Child Health
This project links maps of floods and storms to child health records in over 50 low- and middle-income countries to measure how disasters raise child illness and death.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311933 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a parent's point of view, researchers will map the exact locations and intensity of storms and floods across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They will link those disaster events to existing health records for children aged 0–11 to compare health outcomes before and after events. The team will estimate both direct deaths from disasters and indirect harms caused by disrupted food, water, and health services. Results will explore why some children are more affected than others and point to ways to reduce harm in future disasters.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children aged 0–11 living in low- and middle-income countries who are included in local health records and who experienced floods or storms during the study period.
Not a fit: Children outside the 0–11 age range, those living in high-income countries, or those without linkable health records are unlikely to be directly affected by this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help target emergency services, clean water, food, and medical support to reduce child illness and deaths after floods and storms.
How similar studies have performed: Analyses after events like Hurricane Maria have found large indirect child health effects, but broad multi-country estimates using linked disaster and child health data are still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Zachary — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Zachary
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.