Health Cumulative Effects of Climate Disasters on Mental Health and Wellbeing and Opportunities for Adaptation in the U.S. Gulf Coast Vietnamese American Community

Recurrent, concurrent, and consecutive extreme weather events including hurricanes, tropical storms, and extreme heat have resulted in large-scale disasters causing significant mortality, morbidity, and damage to community infrastructure, resources, and livelihoods in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. Although the effects on mental health and wellbeing are of great concern, limited research has explored these effects and adaptation solutions for immigrant and refugee communities. Using a qualitative approach, we examined how exposure to multiple, repeated climate disasters impact the mental health and wellbeing of Vietnamese Americans in Houston and New Orleans, and considered family and community adaptation solutions for protecting mental health. We conducted interviews with community members across generations and with community leaders such as social service providers, faith-based leaders, and community organizers. We found exposure to multiple, repeated climate disasters resulted in a range of adverse mental health impacts including increased stress and anxiety, feelings of sadness and depression, and re-traumatization, particularly for refugees. Older adults, people living in isolation, people with limited English proficiency, and those with pre-existing health conditions were disproportionately impacted. These impacts were further amplified for compound climate disasters especially following Hurricane Beryl. Solutions for adaptation that promote mental health and wellbeing include building community capacity to prepare for and respond to compound climate disasters, strengthening community cohesion and systems of care, and implementing timely bilingual risk communication and mental health services that are accessible during and after a disaster. Community-centered climate adaptation solutions are critical for reducing the cumulative effects of climate disasters on mental health and wellbeing, particularly for immigrant and refugee populations.