In the journal Science, researchers at the University of Idaho indicated how migration through the US-Mexico border may result in a higher risk of severe dehydration and mortality.
The study points to climate change and the subsequently dangerous terrain encompassing the Mexican-American landmass near the border. Environmental conditions decrease human tolerance among migrants.
“An empirical understanding of the biological stresses associated with these migrations will play a key role in the development of social, political, and medical strategies for alleviating adverse effects and risk of death,” researchers emphasized in their findings.
“We model physiological stress associated with undocumented migration across a commonly traversed section of the southern border of the United States and find that locations of migrant death are disproportionately clustered within regions of greatest predicted physiological stress (evaporative water loss).”
The findings of their study showcase firm evidence of high migrant mortality in the area of the landmass encompassing the US-Mexico border, with the consumption of more water to prevent severe health risks regarded as pointless during such environmental conditions.
