Climate Change Threatens Global Blood Supply, Putting Lives at Risk, Study Warns

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health warns that climate change and increasingly extreme weather events are disrupting the global blood supply, potentially endangering lives dependent on transfusions, as per Bloomberg.

The research highlights the growing challenge of maintaining adequate blood stocks in the face of climate-related disruptions to donation, testing, transport, and storage.

Fueled by rising global temperatures, extreme weather events such as bushfires and floods are increasingly hindering the ability of medical professionals to effectively manage the blood supply chain. These events make it difficult for potential donors to reach donation centers and can significantly delay the transport of blood products, which are highly perishable and sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Researchers at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the University of the Sunshine Coast point to Tropical Cyclone Alfred as a stark example of this impact. The cyclone caused widespread flooding across Queensland and New South Wales in Australia last month, leading to the cancellation of over 3,500 blood donation appointments and a subsequent decline in national blood reserves.

“For the first time here in Australia, we saw a weather event have an unprecedented impact on donations,” said Elvina Viennet, Lifeblood researcher and co-author of the study. “This research is important because blood and blood product supplies are critical for medical treatments — plus they save lives in emergency situations.”

The study is the first comprehensive global analysis examining how climate change impacts all stages of the blood supply chain, based on a review of international research.

Beyond extreme weather, the study also highlights the expanding geographical range of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, and malaria, due to climate change. As the insects that transmit these diseases find suitable habitats in new regions, the potential for transmission through blood transfusions increases. This expansion could also disqualify potential donors in affected areas, further straining the blood-banking system.

The study emphasizes the need for blood-banking systems to “ensure that blood systems remain adaptable to evolving risks.” This includes ongoing evaluation of regional disease burdens, available resources, and the implementation of emerging technologies to mitigate the threats posed by climate change and its associated health risks.

Furthermore, extreme weather, including temperature fluctuations, can indirectly impact the blood supply chain by increasing the demand for transfusions. This is particularly true for individuals with conditions like pregnancy complications, cardiovascular disease, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, and trauma-related injuries, who are more likely to require blood transfusions during extreme weather events.