The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned that the 2026–2027 El Niño phenomenon is expected to have significant public health impacts across the Americas, urging countries to strengthen preparedness and place health at the center of their climate response strategies.
According to PAHO’s latest Public Health Situation Analysis, extreme weather events linked to El Niño—including droughts, floods, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall—could increase the spread of infectious diseases, disrupt healthcare services, and worsen existing social and health inequalities. The report identifies cholera, leptospirosis, malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya as among the diseases most likely to surge during the climate event.
The analysis also highlights growing risks from heat-related illnesses, respiratory conditions caused by wildfire smoke, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, grief, and post-traumatic stress linked to displacement and loss of livelihoods. Vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses, are expected to face the greatest health risks.
PAHO warns that hundreds of healthcare facilities across the region remain vulnerable to flooding and climate-related damage, potentially disrupting access to essential medical services and supply chains. The organization also notes that food insecurity, malnutrition, and gender-based violence may increase as communities face the social and economic impacts of extreme weather.
To reduce these risks, PAHO recommends strengthening disease surveillance, integrating weather forecasting with public health systems, ensuring access to safe drinking water, expanding telehealth services, protecting healthcare infrastructure, and improving risk communication through community-based awareness campaigns. The agency emphasizes that early preparedness and coordinated action will be critical to minimizing the health impacts of El Niño across the Americas.
