Heatwaves and health: overview of scientific production and characterization of research groups in Latin America

panorama da produção científica e caracterização dos grupos de pesquisa na América Latina

Abstract

Heatwaves are among the main extreme events associated with climate change, with significant impacts on human health, particularly in urban and socially vulnerable contexts. This study aimed to analyze the profile of scientific production on the impacts of heatwaves on human health, with emphasis on the geographical distribution of studies, the institutional location of research groups, and the thematic characterization of available evidence in Latin America. This is an integrative literature review, combined with bibliometric and spatial analyses. The search was conducted in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases, resulting in 161 articles included, published up to July 2023. The results indicate a growth in scientific production in recent decades, but with a strong concentration in high-income countries, particularly in Europe (34%), Oceania (22%), and Asia (17%), while Latin America shows limited participation, with only three studies with explicit territorial focus and institutional presence restricted to five countries. A low recurrence of institutions is also observed, indicating fragmentation of scientific production and the absence of consolidated regional networks. Regarding content, studies on mortality and morbidity associated with extreme heat predominate, with less development of integrated approaches that consider social determinants, territorial vulnerability, and health system adaptation strategies. It is concluded that there is a mismatch between the territories most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate emergency and those with the greatest scientific production capacity, which limits the development of evidence-based public policies. The study highlights the need to strengthen scientific capacity in Latin America, promoting interinstitutional cooperation, the development of territorialized studies, and the integration between knowledge production and health governance as key strategies for advancing equity and climate justice.