Climate and Health in Africa: Research and Policy Needs

Climate variability and change can have both direct and indirect influences on human health. In Africa, risks of malnutrition, malaria and diarrhoeal disease are likely to increase as temperatures increase and rainfall becomes more variable (USAID, 2017). Other climate risks include the direct impacts of extreme weather events, UV-related cancers and diseases, heat stress, respiratory disorders related to air quality and access to clean water, with increased transmission of water, vector and food-borne diseases all expected to increase in the future (ACPC, 2011; African Development Bank 2012). This Briefing Note highlights the key health areas on which climate has an impact in Africa, in order to help shape the research and policy agendaThe Briefing Note was funded by the Walker Institute in support of ClimHEALTH Africa, the international network for climate and health in Africa, coordinated and managed by the World Health Organization