Opinion: Africa’s climate-health crisis needs swift and decisive action

The intersection between climate change and human health is a critical area for policy intervention on the African continent. Key areas to consider include strategic risk assessments, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, collaborative partnerships, a unified global response, and swift action to safeguard the health and well-being of African populations. For a long time, discussions on the climate crisis had often centered around mitigation, loss and damage, and green energy — rightfully so. However, recent events have highlighted an aspect that needs equal emphasis and resources, which is the nexus of climate change and health, specifically, how changing climatic conditions is impacting people’s health now and for the future. Two recent reports, the World Malaria Report 2023 and Climate Change and Epidemics 2023 report both emphasize the growing burden of climate-amplified diseases and epidemics. Specifically in Africa, climate change’s impact on health outcomes is growing in significance on emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, with severe implications for the continents’ public health. A climate and health crisis in Africa The African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan has found that the death rate from climate change is 60% to 80% higher in Africa than it is in the next most vulnerable region, Southeast Asia, due to “pre-existing vulnerabilities and the weakened ability of Africa to adapt to the impacts of climate change.” There will be up to 70,000 additional deaths in Africa by 2030 because of climate change, with malaria and diarrhea responsible for the most significant proportions of these deaths. The World Meteorological Organization reports that while Africa accounts for 15% of the world’s weather-, climate- and water-related disasters, it experiences 35% of associated deaths. Although disasters associated with floods were the most prevalent, droughts led to the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 95% of all lives lost in the region. Projections of this interconnection between climate and health show that the fullness of this problem will be realized circa 2050; for example, the World Health Organization reports that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress alone. Given ongoing reports, we can safely say that the headwinds of this crisis have started, signaling the impending crisis. A series of devastating incidents underscore the urgent repercussions of climate change on public health. Of the approximately 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths recorded globally in 2022, Africa bore 94% of cases and 95% of deaths, 80% of these deaths were among children under 5, according to WHO. The World malaria report 2023 further points out that rising temperatures in African highlands have expanded malaria to new areas, affecting children under 5 the most. In Mozambique, the aftermath of Hurricane Freddy in February-March 2023 triggered a cholera outbreak, resulting in a staggering 28,000 infections and over 100 fatalities. Similarly, Malawi faced the grim reality of an escalating scabies outbreak in October, with a single district reporting more than 4,000 cases in just one week. The outbreak, directly linked to the climate crisis, was exacerbated by a lethal combination of heat waves, high humidity, and water shortages, creating a breeding ground for infectious diseases. Africa has recently grappled with multiple Marburg outbreaks in countries like Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Tanzania. The escalating temperatures, driven by climate change, have prompted host animals, particularly bats carrying the Marburg virus, to migrate into new areas, sparking outbreaks in regions previously unaffected. This crisis extends beyond the borders of Africa, as there is growing apprehension that the warming global climate is enabling the spread of tropical diseases traditionally associated with the tropics. Malaria and dengue fever, once confined to tropical regions, are now finding a foothold in Europe and the United States. The far-reaching consequences of climate change demand immediate attention and concerted global efforts to address the profound impact on public health worldwide. How to address the burden of climate change and aggravated health All the evidence reveals the need for policymakers to address the dual burden of climate-change-induced and aggravated diseases. Fortunately, the first Africa Climate Summit, which was held in September in Kenya, broached this subject, creating the opportunity for the annual International Conference on Public Health in Africa in November this year, where Dr. Jean Kaseya, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that climate change is the biggest human health risk. This concern was amplified by other voices at the UAE UN Climate Change Conference, COP 28, where WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros A. Ghebreyesus stated emphatically that the climate crisis is a health crisis. To confront emerging challenges effectively, strong political will, dedication, and collaborative efforts are pivotal, particularly in understanding Africa's varied climate threats across its regions and nations. African policymakers and climate-health experts must adopt a comprehensive approach to mitigate the growing threat posed by climate-induced health impacts. This approach should encompass: 1. Strategic risk assessment and scenario modeling: Employ rigorous risk assessments and scenario modeling to inform policy decisions, equipping African nations with the foresight to proactively address existing health vulnerabilities and prepare for future climate-related challenges. 2. Greenhouse gas emissions reduction and adaptive health care strategies: Simultaneously address climate change's root cause by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while implementing adaptive strategies to fortify health care systems against the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising risks of infectious disease. 3. Collaboration between health care professionals and policymakers: Foster partnerships between health care professionals and policymakers to collaboratively navigate the complex web of health challenges arising from climate change. This collaboration will be crucial in optimizing resource allocation, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring that health interventions are aligned with broader climate adaptation strategies. 4. Global unity to combat climate-related health issues: This calls for substantial investments in research, technology, and medical countermeasures to develop sustainable health care practices tailored to the changing climate conditions and to support vulnerable communities on the front lines of climate change. 5. Swift and decisive action: Time is of the essence. Urgent and decisive action is needed to address these complex and evolving challenges before they exacerbate existing health inequities and hinder Africa's development trajectory.