Drought and Your Health

"Drought is a natural phenomenon in which rainfall is lower than average for an extended period of time. Periods of drought can result in inadequate water supply and can lead to public health problems. Take action and learn how drought can impact your health and the health of your family.

Overview

Cycles of drought have affected North America for the last 10,000 years. Droughts can last from a single season to many decades and can affect from a few hundred to millions of square miles.

Drought can affect areas or communities differently depending on several additional variables. These variables include:

• the structure and capacity of existing water systems,
• local governance of water use,
• economic development,
• the at-risk populations living within the affected area, and
• other societal factors, such as the presence of local social networks..."
  Drought