Why are low- and middle-income countries often more vulnerable to disaster-related illness and death?

Low- and middle-income countries are often more vulnerable to disaster-related illness and death due to a combination of socioeconomic and structural factors. Research indicates that the greatest degree of mortality and morbidity from disasters occurs in these regions, where vulnerability is heightened by poverty, poor or unplanned urbanization, and environmental degradation.1

Key factors contributing to this disparity include:

• Infrastructure and Building Standards: Unlike high-income countries that often mandate and enforce strict building codes to withstand hazards like earthquakes, many lower-income nations lack such regulations or the capacity to enforce them. This increases the risk of building collapses and subsequent injuries.2
• Resource Limitations: These countries often have fewer resources for evacuation, communication, and the rapid delivery of medical services. When disasters overwhelm local institutions, the lack of robust infrastructure hinders the ability to cope and recover.21
• Geographic Vulnerability: Large populations in low-income countries frequently reside in high-risk areas, such as hillsides prone to landslides, undefended coastal plains, or river watersheds.1
• Socioeconomic Factors: Vulnerability is further exacerbated by food insecurity and the inability to implement policies that limit development in hazardous zones.2

Addressing these disparities is a fundamental matter of global equity, as the protection of human life and health should be a universal priority regardless of economic status.12