Impact of Climate Change on Global Blood Supply

Thu 17th Apr, 2025

A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health highlights the potential risks that climate change poses to the global blood supply. Conducted by researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, the study outlines how health complications, the spread of infectious diseases, and extreme weather conditions linked to climate change may hinder blood donations and simultaneously increase the demand for blood.

Dr. Elvina Viennet, a researcher at Lifeblood, emphasized the critical nature of maintaining a safe and sufficient blood supply, which is essential for surgeries, trauma care, and managing chronic illnesses. She noted that rising temperatures and natural disasters--including heat waves, floods, cyclones, and bushfires--are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change. These events can restrict people's ability to donate blood while also disrupting the storage and transport of blood products, which have a limited shelf life. A recent example occurred when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in Australia significantly reduced the national blood supply for the first time.

Associate Professor Helen Faddy, the lead researcher, remarked that this study is the first of its kind to evaluate how climate change could affect each aspect of the blood supply chain globally. The comprehensive literature review revealed crucial gaps in understanding the risks associated with donor health, blood collection logistics, and the processing, storage, and distribution of blood products.

According to the findings, climate change may also influence the prevalence of infectious diseases transmitted through blood, potentially deterring individuals from donating. Increased rainfall and warmer temperatures in certain regions could exacerbate mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, and Malaria, possibly extending their reach to new areas.

Moreover, the study suggests that a rise in disease prevalence and the frequency of natural disasters may heighten the need for blood transfusions due to complications arising from pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, and sickle cell disorders. The researchers also highlighted the challenges in matching blood types for patients, particularly as rising sea levels contribute to increased migration rates, necessitating a broader and more diverse donor base.

Less apparent health issues, such as heat-related illnesses, may also affect donors and staff. New health conditions, alongside blood pressure and hydration issues exacerbated by heat, may impact the willingness and ability of individuals to donate blood. Psychological challenges, including 'climate anxiety,' could further influence donor participation.

The study calls for a reevaluation of traditional blood supply chains, advocating for adaptable strategies that can respond rapidly to climate-induced challenges. Researchers propose that governments and blood services implement essential tools such as early warning systems, disease monitoring, flexible donor eligibility criteria, and efficient blood transportation methods during emergencies. Innovations such as cell salvage techniques during surgeries, drone transport for blood delivery when conventional methods are compromised, and mobile blood banks that collect donations at crisis sites have emerged globally.

As environmental changes continue to unfold, it is imperative to develop flexible strategies that ensure the resilience of blood supply systems in the face of climate-related challenges.


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