Climate Change and Human Health in Africa in Relation to Opportunities to Strengthen Mitigating Potential and Adaptive Capacity: Strategies to Inform an African "Brains Trust".

Journal: Annals of global health

Volume: 90

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa. Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa. Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana. School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Makerere University, School of Public Health, Uganda. Columbia University, New York, USA.

Abstract summary 

Africa faces diverse and complex population/human health challenges due to climate change. Understanding the health impacts of climate change in Africa in all its complexity is essential for implementing effective strategies and policies to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable populations. This study aimed to outline the major climate change-related health impacts in Africa in the context of economic resilience and to seek solutions and provide strategies to prevent or reduce adverse effects of climate change on human health and well-being in Africa.For this narrative review, a literature search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. We also searched the reference lists of retrieved articles for additional records as well as reports. We followed a conceptual framework to ensure all aspects of climate change and health impacts in Africa were identified.The average temperatures in all six eco-regions of Africa have risen since the early twentieth century, and heat exposure, extreme events, and sea level rise are projected to disproportionately affect Africa, resulting in a larger burden of health impacts than other continents. Given that climate change already poses substantial challenges to African health and well-being, this will necessitate significant effort, financial investment, and dedication to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This review offers African leaders and decision-makers data-driven and action-oriented strategies that will ensure a more resilient healthcare system and safe, healthy populations-in ways that contribute to economic resiliency.The urgency of climate-health action integrated with sustainable development in Africa cannot be overstated, given the multiple economic gains from reducing current impacts and projected risks of climate change on the continent's population health and well-being. Climate action must be integrated into Africa's development plan to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, protect vulnerable populations from the detrimental effects of climate change, and promote economic development.

Authors & Co-authors:  Wright Caradee Y CY Kapwata Thandi T Naidoo Natasha N Asante Kwaku Polu KP Arku Raphael E RE Cissé Guéladio G Simane Belay B Atuyambe Lynn L Berhane Kiros K

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Cissé G, McLeman R, Adams H, Aldunce P, Bowen K, Campbell-Lendrum D, et al. Health, wellbeing and the changing structure of communities. In: Climate Change 2022—Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press; 2023. p. 1041–170. DOI: 10.1017/9781009325844.009
Authors :  9
Identifiers
Doi : 7
SSN : 2214-9996
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
adaptation;development;economic resiliency;environmental health;extreme weather events;heat;mental health;public health
Study Design
Narrative Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States