Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change and is very vulnerable to extreme weather events, despite contributing to only about 3.6% of global emissions.
Beyond the immediate aftermath of disasters, there is a growing understanding that this situation is impacting health care services and having serious consequences for human health in the region.
In East Africa, where I research the changing climate’s impact on health, the rural ecosystem has been severely compromised by issues including deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, wetland degradation, and insect infestation.