An Integrated Approach to Ethical Considerations for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Research in Climate-Affected Humanitarian Settings.

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) remain understudied within both climate change and humanitarian research, despite growing evidence that climate-related extreme weather events (EWE) and humanitarian crises are interconnected and disproportionately affect structurally marginalized populations. As EWE increase in frequency and severity, there is a pressing need to identify ethical approaches for conducting SRHR research in humanitarian and disaster-affected settings. Climate change intensifies existing social, gender, and structural inequities, shaping SRHR risks and access to health care across the life course. In this Frameworks article, we propose an integrated ethical approach for SRHR research in climate-affected humanitarian contexts that brings together principles from climate and health research ethics, humanitarian research ethics, and life course health equity. We argue that ethical SRHR research in these settings must account for intersecting climate and humanitarian vulnerabilities, recognize agency within constrained contexts, and attend to how risks and priorities are experienced differently across life stages. Drawing on established ethical frameworks, we center our framework on three guiding principles: protection from harm, equity and justice, and contextual relevance. We illustrate the application of this integrated approach through two case studies: climate-related SRHR vulnerabilities among youth in Pacific Island settings and sexual violence experienced by older adults in refugee settlements. These examples highlight how age-based silos may obscure evolving SRHR needs across the life course. We conclude by outlining implications for research and health promotion practice, emphasizing the importance of contextually responsive and equity-driven approaches that support immediate humanitarian needs and long-term SRHR in climate-affected settings.