The Dust bowl caused widespread crop failure, leading to food shortages and starvation. Thousands of people died from hunger, malnutrition, or related causes.
Pneumonia:
Dust storms created thick clouds of dust that clogged people's lungs, causing respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Many succumb to pneumonia and other lung-related illnesses.
Malnutrition:
Poverty, loss of livelihoods, and limited access to food due to crop failure led to widespread malnutrition. People's immune systems were weakened, making them more susceptible to diseases.
Heat stroke:
Summer temperatures during the Dust Bowl could soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme heat, combined with the absence of shade from drought-stricken trees, caused heat stroke and contributed to deaths.
Mental Health Issues:
The prolonged economic and psychological distress of the Dust Bowl led to increased rates of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. In severe cases, these mental health issues contributed to suicide.