Weather, climate, and climate change research to protect human health in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

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ABSTRACT

Weather, climate, and climate change are affecting human health, with scientific evidence increasing substantially over the past two decades, but with very limited research from low- and middle-income countries. The health effects of climate change occur mainly because of the consequences of rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and an increase in extreme weather events. These exposures interact with demographic, socio-economic, and environmental factors, as well as access to and the quality of health care, to affect the magnitude and pattern of risks. Health risks are unevenly distributed around the world, and within countries and across population groups. Existing health challenges and inequalities are likely to be exacerbated by climate change. This narrative review provides an overview of the health impacts of weather, climate, and climate change, particularly on vulnerable regions and populations in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and discusses the importance of protecting human health in a changing climate; such measures are critical to reducing poverty and inequality at all scales. Three case summaries from the INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems highlight examples of research that quantified associations between weather and health outcomes. These and comparable surveillance systems can provide critical knowledge to increase resilience and decrease inequalities in an increasingly warming world.

KEYWORDS:

• Climate change
• health impacts
• demographic surveillance sites
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• South Asia

Responsible Editor Stig Wall

Responsible Editor Stig Wall

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Paper context

This paper gives an overview of the health impacts of weather, climate, and climate change, with a particular focus on vulnerable regions and populations in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. It discusses the importance of strengthening research infrastructure and local research capacity in LMICs related to weather, climate, and climate change to fill critical knowledge gaps, contribute to knowledge development, capacity building and designing interventions in countries where most needed. A conclusion is that local researchers are better placed to understand the local needs, risks, vulnerabilities, and resources, informing the public, policy-, and decisionmakers.

Additional information

Funding

There was no funding available for this work.

Notes on contributors

Maria Nilsson

MN and KLE conceived the idea of the review and reviewed the literature. MN wrote the main part of the manuscript with input from KLE and all co-authors. KM, AB, and VI wrote the case summaries, edited by KLE. Inputs were made by AS in texts about HDSS and the INDEPTH network.