By Faridat Salifu
As climate change accelerates, researchers are sounding the alarm—not just about rising temperatures, but about a lesser-known consequence: the global blood supply could be in jeopardy.
A new study led by the University of the Sunshine Coast and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood reveals that warming temperatures, extreme weather, and changing disease patterns may deeply disrupt how blood is donated, processed, and delivered.
The researchers say this could create a dual crisis: fewer eligible donors and a growing need for blood.
“Climate change is pushing us into unfamiliar territory,” said Dr. Elvina Viennet, who co-authored the study. “Events like heatwaves, floods, and bushfires don’t just displace people—they disrupt entire medical systems, including blood collection and storage.”
The study goes beyond just weather events. Warmer climates are creating ideal conditions for mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue to spread to new areas, temporarily disqualifying potential donors and increasing the risk of blood-borne infections.
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At the same time, the need for blood could grow. From childbirth complications to cardiovascular diseases and sickle cell conditions, climate-related health stressors are expected to drive up demand.
Dr. Helen Faddy, the study’s lead author, highlighted that reliance on traditional blood supply systems may no longer be enough.
“We need to prepare for an unpredictable future,” she said, calling for mobile donation units, drones for remote delivery, and flexible policies for emergency responses.
In some parts of the world, innovations like “walking blood banks”—on-the-spot donations during disasters—are already being explored.
This research serves as a reminder: in a warming world, even something as essential as a blood transfusion may not be guaranteed unless we act now to build resilience into healthcare systems.
Source: Medical Xpress
