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Climate-driven migration: an exploratory case study of Maasai health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors

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  • Alexandra K. Heaney

    (Columbia University)

  • Sandra J. Winter

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

Objectives By 2050, over 250 million people will be displaced from their homes by climate change. This exploratory case study examines how climate-driven migration impacts the health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors of Maasai in Tanzania. Increasing frequency and intensity of drought is killing livestock, forcing Maasai to migrate from their rural homelands to urban centers in search of ways to support their families. Little existing research investigates how this migration changes the way migrants think about health and make healthcare decisions. Methods This study used semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore migrant and non-migrant beliefs surrounding health and healthcare. Migrant and non-migrant participants were matched on demographic characteristics and location. Results Migrants emphasized the importance of mental health in their overall health perceptions, whereas non-migrants emphasized physical health. Although non-migrants perceived more barriers to accessing healthcare, migrant and non-migrant help-seeking behaviors were similar in that they only sought help for physical health problems, and utilized hospitals as a last option. Conclusions These findings have implications for improving Maasai healthcare utilization, and for future research targeting other climate-driven migrant populations in the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra K. Heaney & Sandra J. Winter, 2016. "Climate-driven migration: an exploratory case study of Maasai health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(6), pages 641-649, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:61:y:2016:i:6:d:10.1007_s00038-015-0759-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-015-0759-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia Nayna Schwerdtle & Julia Stockemer & Kathryn J. Bowen & Rainer Sauerborn & Celia McMichael & Ina Danquah, 2020. "A Meta-Synthesis of Policy Recommendations Regarding Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-30, December.
    2. Omolara Sanni & Bukola Salami & Folajinmi Oluwasina & Folakemi Ojo & Megan Kennedy, 2022. "Climate Change and African Migrant Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Fiona Charlson & Suhailah Ali & Tarik Benmarhnia & Madeleine Pearl & Alessandro Massazza & Jura Augustinavicius & James G. Scott, 2021. "Climate Change and Mental Health: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-38, April.
    4. Marion Borderon & Patrick Sakdapolrak & Raya Muttarak & Endale Kebede & Raffaella Pagogna & Eva Sporer, 2019. "Migration influenced by environmental change in Africa: A systematic review of empirical evidence," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 41(18), pages 491-544.
    5. Ashley Jowell & Sharon Wulfovich & Sianga Kuyan & Catherine Heaney, 2018. "Ethnic identity, resilience, and well-being: a study of female Maasai migrants," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(6), pages 703-711, July.
    6. Simin Mehdipour & Nouzar Nakhaee & Farzaneh Zolala & Maryam Okhovati & Afsar Foroud & Ali Akbar Haghdoost, 2022. "A systematized review exploring the map of publications on the health impacts of drought," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 113(1), pages 35-62, August.
    7. Martin Röösli & Guéladio Cissé, 2020. "Towards health for future," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(1), pages 1-2, January.

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